The job was the biggest contract prize of the month and sent both firms to the top of the contracts league.

The other major civil engineering project awarded in May saw Belgian steelwork specialist Victor Buyck and Northern Ireland’s Farrans bag the £117.6m contract to build a new Wear Crossing for Sunderland City Council.

On building work alone Kier ranked top after securing 30 jobs worth just over £200m.

The big awards failed to change the rankings based on cumulative work secured over 12 months, with Balfour Beatty staying ahead of Laing O’Rourke which continued to close the gap in second place.

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Among other big contract wins during May, McLaren Construction picked up a £100m distribution unit for Uniserve in Felixstowe, giving it a strong track record on logistic centres.

Bowmer & Kirkland was confirmed as main contractor on a £100m project for the new campus of the University of Northampton.

Developer Oakmayne formally appointed Laing O’Rourke to deliver its £150m Two Fifty One residential tower scheme (above) near Elephant & Castle in central London.

Morgan Sindall took an £80.9m social housing project to build 1,000 homes across four sites in Kings Lynn for Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Council.