Ten district councils from the region will be able to use the framework for both construct only as well as design and construct projects in value bands ranging from up to £500,000 to over £5m.

Construction information specialist Glenigan revealed the winning firms as Balfour Beatty, Colas, Dawnus, Galliford Try, Interserve, North Midland and Sisk.

The four year deal will start in January with work relateing mainly to highways projects but also including earthworks, bridge construction and site clearance.

Specific early schemes include the Manchester and Salford Inner Relief Route, a project worth about £7m to be delivered on behalf of Manchester and Salford City Councils.

Bob Gibbon, Managing Director of the Highways business unit within Galliford Try’s Infrastructure division, said: “We have worked on highways schemes across the north-west for many years.

“This award is an ideal opportunity to further develop our presence and enable our clients and road users to benefit from our experience.”