FIVE firms have been named on a shortlist for one of the biggest road maintenance contracts in North Yorkshire’s history.

The ten-year deal to look after the region’s highways is currently held by Balfour Beatty, which is among the companies who will be invited to tender for the new £250 million contract from North Yorkshire County Council.

The other names on the list are Costain/Galliford, New Zealand firm Downer EDI Works Limited, May Gurney and Ringway Infrastructure Services Ltd.

A report which went before the council’s executive this month said 67 companies expressed an interest and nine official responses were received.

The tender will be published next month, with the contract set to be awarded in September and begin next April.