The UK Highways Agency has awarded a £130m framework contract to five companies to provide technical consultancy services in support operations and improvements of England’s motorways and major A roads.

The contracts will provide the agency with access to specialised advice on areas ranging from research and development to the implementation of standards and guidance across projects of varying sizes.

Work on the framework contract will be commissioned over an 18-month period, with a one-year extension option.

The five suppliers are Halcrow Group Limited, Jacobs Engineering Limited, Mott MacDonald, Séligere (a consortium of Ove Arup & Partners Limited, Capita Symonds Ltd and Hyder Consulting (UK) Limited), and WSP Civils Limited.