The brand new dedicated ground investigations framework is estimated to be worth around £91m.

Van Elle subsidiary Strata Geotechnics and multi-disciplinary RPS Consulting Services were the biggest winners securing places in two of the three English regions.

Catherine McGrath, Highways England Geotechnical Category Lead, said: “We are delighted to be awarding this new framework.

“It’s the first of its kind in the geotechnical sector and enables us to work directly with our small and medium sized enterprises.

“Early collaboration with the ground investigation supplier community during its development was key and resulted in the creation of a framework with the potential to generate efficiencies and reduce costs, providing greater value for money.”