Balfour is presently rolling out new IT systems across the business in a major efficiency drive.

Next Tuesday hundreds of subcontractors working for the former Birse civils and Mansell regional building businesses will be switched over to the new Oracle payment system.

A spokeswoman for Balfour said: “We are rolling out a new accounting, payroll and HR system over the business.

“All of our suppliers have been notified of the change.

“We now have an emergency system in place during the transition period in case there are any glitches to allow suppliers to be paid promptly.

“Once we have converted to the new system next week this will not be needed.”

But some contractors told the Enquirer they feared the massive switch over would inevitably throw up teething problems leading to delays.

A northern civils contractor said: “I am worried this will slow down payments. These changeovers are never glitch-free.

“Hopefully, the emergency procedures for payment will be kept in place while the new system beds down.”