The UK’s road network is the backbone of national infrastructure, supporting millions of journeys and vital supply chains every day. Maintaining and upgrading these assets requires specialist contractors with proven expertise in highways construction, maintenance and major civil engineering projects.
In this guide, we spotlight the Top 10 Road Contractors in the UK (2025), highlighting their main roles and company overviews to give you a clear picture of the industry leaders keeping Britain moving.
1. Costain Ltd
Core Strengths: Major road upgrades, including high-profile schemes like the M6.
Overview: Costain is a long-established civil engineering contractor, delivering innovative solutions across the UK’s strategic road network. With a focus on sustainability and technology-driven infrastructure, they play a leading role in transforming the nation’s highways.
2. Connect Plus (M25) Ltd
Core Strengths: Maintenance and upgrades of the M25 orbital motorway.
Overview: As the company responsible for the UK’s busiest motorway, Connect Plus specialises in long-term management, renewal and enhancement of the M25, ensuring safety, reliability and reduced congestion.
3. Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd
Core Strengths: Large-scale highways projects and trunk road preparation.
Overview: Balfour Beatty is one of the UK’s most prominent infrastructure firms, with vast experience in delivering complex highway schemes. Their involvement in flagship projects makes them a trusted partner for national and regional road authorities.
4. Kier Transportation / Highways
Core Strengths: Regional highway services and road improvement contracts.
Overview: Kier is a key player in highways maintenance and construction, working across multiple regions to deliver safe and efficient road networks. Their expertise spans both local authority and Highways England projects.
5. Amey OW Ltd
Core Strengths: Road operations, asset management and maintenance.
Overview: Amey brings a wealth of experience in highway services, focusing on efficiency, safety and sustainability. They are heavily involved in operational management, ensuring the smooth running of key routes nationwide.
6. Skanska Construction UK Ltd
Core Strengths: Civil engineering for major road projects.
Overview: Skanska is an international construction leader with a strong UK presence, delivering sustainable, high-quality road infrastructure. Their engineering expertise supports long-term resilience in the national network.
7. Ringway Infrastructure Services Ltd
Core Strengths: Road maintenance and network operations.
Overview: Ringway is highly active in highway maintenance, providing local and strategic road services. Known for their reliability, they support safe, accessible roads through routine maintenance and emergency response.
8. Colas Ltd
Core Strengths: Road surfacing, renewal and resurfacing.
Overview: Colas is a specialist in road construction and surfacing, bringing international expertise to the UK market. Their innovations in materials and processes contribute to safer, longer-lasting roadways.
9. Jacobs UK Ltd
Core Strengths: Road design and engineering consultancy.
Overview: Jacobs provides technical expertise in road design, planning and consultancy, supporting many of the UK’s largest road schemes. Their advisory role is crucial in shaping efficient and sustainable transport solutions.
10. Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd
Core Strengths: Road-related works as part of broader civil infrastructure supply.
Overview: Morgan Sindall is a leading UK contractor delivering integrated civil infrastructure projects. Their highways work supports large-scale regeneration and transport connectivity schemes.
How These Contractors Were Chosen
These road contractors were selected based on their proven track record, scale of involvement in UK highway projects and recognised expertise in construction, maintenance and consultancy. Together, they represent the most trusted names driving improvements to the country’s transport networks.
Conclusion
From motorway upgrades and major construction to maintenance and design consultancy, these top 10 road contractors are essential to the UK’s transport future. Their combined expertise ensures safer, more efficient and sustainable roads for millions of drivers every day.
