Morganstone will carry out the civil and structural works for the new Pickle Line. This process section will support new pickling and rinse tanks used to remove mill scale from hot rolled steel before it is cold rolled.

The deal marks the shift from demolition and enabling works into full construction on the processing line, which forms part of Tata’s wider low-carbon investment centred on a new three million tonne-a-year electric arc furnace.

Construction starts next week with Morganstone working alongside Tata Steel UK’s Project Invictus team.

Programme manager Andrew McGregor said: “This marks the start of the construction phase for the new Pickle Line project in Tata Steel UK. It’s a really positive feeling to know we are moving away from demolition and enabling works into construction.

“The contract has been placed with Morganstone for the installation of the process section of the new Pickle Line. This part of the line is on the critical path for the overall installation due to the amount of structural steelwork that has to be installed on the new foundations.”

McGregor said the team was now pushing ahead with procurement of the remaining civil and structural packages as equipment for the new line is due to begin arriving shortly.

Morganstone chairman Ian Morgan said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Tata Steel UK to deliver this important project.

“The award reflects the capability, experience and commitment of our team and is a significant contract for Morganstone to be involved with.”

Work at Port Talbot has accelerated over the last year with major piling for the electric arc furnace, new scrap handling facilities, National Grid connection works and redevelopment of former basic oxygen steelmaking plant areas already underway.