The awards should create 3,750 new local network construction jobs keeping it on track to create 10,000 jobs over the next three years.

These deals conclude the first phase of CityFibre’s Accelerated Tender Awards Programme bringing total build contracts to £2.5bn.

Kier, which said its deal was worth £82m over two and half years, is gearing up to start work early next year.

Barry McNicholas, group managing director at Kier Utilities & Rail, said Kier would be creating around 300 employment, apprenticeship and training opportunities across all of its locations, as well as upskilling teams to deliver this vital digital infrastructure.

CityFibre drafted in Bechtel in late Summer to accelerate its full-fibre rollout.

By the end of 2021, it is now anticipated that network construction will be underway in more than 100 towns and cities across the UK.

Bechtel will focus on implementing a consistent approach to the mobilisation and management of construction partners at scale.

With 26 build partners now under contract, its construction supply chain is secured for rollouts targeting more than 5 million premises across 66 towns and cities.

Before the end of the year, CityFibre will launch the second phase of the ATAP through which it will award build contracts for up to a further 3 million premises.

This will commit construction resource across the entirety of its up to 8 million Gigabit City Investment Programme target, which it is on track to have substantially completed by 2025 in support of the Government’s target for national coverage.