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Balfour Beatty has reclaimed top spot in the contractors league table, boosted by the 拢450m Blackburn 黑洞社区 Schools for the Future programme. Britain鈥檚 biggest contractor was last seen at number one in the no-civils league in May 2009. In January it bagged 57 jobs worth a total of 拢532m. The firm continues to dominate in civils as well: its haul was 拢715m in this arena, including a 拢500m deal with United Utilities and a 拢100m job for Anglia Water.

Morgan Sindall, in second spot, didn鈥檛 come close despite winning 45 jobs totalling 拢199m, including a 拢63m fit-out contract won by its Overbury subsidiary in the City.

The BSF programme continued to be a mainstay for contractors; notable wins included 拢84.6m for Sir Robert McAlpine in Newcastle upon Tyne. Universities were also a good client: Vinci Construction bagged the 拢40.5m arts centre and media building for Middlesex university. This may not be the case in the next academic year, when universities will receive 15% less money.

Total work won by the top 30 firms in January rose by an encouraging 29% to 拢1.88bn, compared with 拢1.46bn the previous year; the average size of a contract was 拢4.9m, compared with 拢5.4m a year ago.

The civils sector remained a winner for the more infrastructure-focused firms. Laing O鈥橰ourke secured a 拢168m job to widen the A453 in Derby for the Highways Agency, as well as a 拢200m job in joint venture with Imtech Process to upgrade Thames Water鈥檚 sewage treatment works at Sir Joseph Bazalgette鈥檚 Crossness plant in south London.

Morgan Sindall also secured a major civils package for Thames Water on the 拢400m contract to build the Lee Tunnel in east London.

Meanwhile, Gardiner & Theobald has overtaken Gleeds to enter the top five quantity surveyors and Currie & Brown UK 鈥� which has only won one project this year 鈥� has been displaced from the top 10 by Rider Levett Bucknall.