The deal is worth up to £50m and will require Balfour to execute rail infrastructure repairs and projects along the route at short notice.

Mark Bullock, Balfour Beatty’s Managing Director for Rail and Utilities said, “This contract award is testament to the strength of Balfour Beatty’s relationship with Network Rail and our ability to deliver at short notice a range of reactive work from track through to buildings and general infrastructure repair.

” I am pleased that Balfour Beatty has been entrusted to ensure the safe and efficient operation of one of the most important parts of the UK rail network.”

Balfour will now open a new office in the Swindon area to oversee the deal with a workforce of eight.