Morgan Est and May Gurney share £300m Lincs job

Two contractors are set to harvest £300m worth of highways work in Lincolnshire, spanning 10 years.

The county council has rolled out a framework deal covering a decade of major projects and sources said the client has now chosen two firms from a shortlist of six to carry out the tasks.

East Anglia contractor May Gurney and Morgan Est look to have emerged triumphant from the fray. This means bitter disappointment for McAlpine, Skanska, Birse and Mowlem.

The scheme, which is being let as a framework deal under the Early Contractor Involvement format, will cover projects of £5m and more. But the council has moved to quell fears that smaller and local firms will be shut out. A source said: "There will still be an opportunity for companies wanting to bid for work in the £100,000 to £5m price range."

The first projects are expected to start on site next year.