Seventeen local authorities in the region put a revamped highways framework worth around £260m out to the market several months ago.

Previous partners Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall, Ringway and Tarmac/Carillion having been fighting it out for a place on the restyled Midlands Highway Alliance Medium Schemes Framework 2.

Contracts have not yet been signed but firms have been notified that they are preferred bidders for the new alliance.

“Most of the firms are back on the new arrangement, with Galliford Try the newcomer. At this stage it looks like Bam Nutall are dropping out.” a source revealed.

The medium scheme framework 2 will be split into two price bands covering work up to £5m and jobs from £5m-£25m.

Over the four years up to £190m could be spent on the larger price band, with around £70m streamed into smaller projects.