The firm will be responsible for the design and delivery of over 10 miles of new highways, connecting the M25 at Junction 29 and the A13 with the proposed Lower Thames Crossing tunnel at Tilbury, Essex.

The deal also catapulted the firm up from 18th to third place in rolling 12-month new order rankings.

Balfour is now closing on Mace in second and both are chasing Kier with its strong lead at the top.

According to data compiled by Barbour ABI, the top 50 firms secured 147 jobs, estimated to be worth nearly £4.7bn, in January.

Among the big project wins Winvic secured a £226m plot 7 warehouse project for Segro at its Northampton logistics park.

Edenica building at 100 Fetter Lane

In central London, Mace signed off on a £86m pioneering 12-storey office scheme at 100 Fetter Lane and a £150m life sciences centre for medical research company MSD on Euston Road.

One Port Street build to rent plan in Manchester

In Manchester, developer Select Property awarded Renaker Build a £130m deal for its One Port Street build to rent scheme in the city’s Northern Quarter.

While in Wales, Carddiff County Council awarded ISG the contract to deliver its £80m three-school campus in the Fairwater area of the city.

Planned new home to Cantonian High School, Riverbank School and Woodlands High School in Cardiff