The contractor in joint venture with only Balfour Beatty following Carillion’s collapse was due to hand the already delayed project over this autumn.

But this revised completion date has been pushed back by several months.

In a trading update, Galliford Try said the final section, including the troubled bridge over the River Don, was now expected to be completed in December owing to increased complexity and weather delays in implementing repairs to the bridge.

Sources revealed to the Enquirer that the bridge problems all come from movement with foundations early on in the project.

The final impact on Galliford Try’s financial results will be determined by the outcome of a significant claim on the project.

The board said it was pursuing constructive discussions with the client.

Otherwise the construction business and Linden Homes businesses remain on track to hit targets while the Partnerships & Regeneration is trading strongly in both mixed-tenure and contracting.

Average net debt for the year is expected to remain around £170m to £190m before any recoveries in relation to the AWPR contract.