One of the UK's top industry magazines has voted Costain Group the outstanding contractor of the decade.

The 'Contractor of the Decade' Award was announced this week by New Civil Engineer at the magazine's annual awards.

Costain is Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's contractor for the Pontypridd Town Centre Regeneration Project. They were also the contractors for both the Porth Relief Road and Church Village Bypass projects.

In the late 1990s Costain was close to financial collapse and it took three years of austere stewardship from then chief executive John Armitt to turn the company around and then another 10 to make it into the company it is today.

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In New Civil Engineer's 2001 Contractors File, Costain was placed 13th, with a civil engineering turnover of £150 million. Since then it has risen steadily to fifth, with a £791 million civil turnover this year - a 427% increase. This rise is unmatched by any other firm in the upper echelons of the File.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, Customer Care and Emergency Planning Cllr Andrew Morgan said: "Congratulations to Costain on achieving this national award which is certainly well deserved considering their rapid growth and excellence in the field of construction. We look forward to working closely with them in the delivery of the Pontypridd Town Centre Regeneration Project over the next few years."

Many of the large companies in the industry - Balfour Beatty, Carillion and Sir Robert McAlpine – were also shortlisted for the Award.

(CD/KMcA)