The Atkins-Ramboll JV will be responsible for solving the technical aspects of the railway works on the 15.5km line, which will include 17 new metro stations. With a total value of DKK 15 billion (£1.4 billion), it is one of Denmark's biggest ever railway projects.

Richard Barrett, managing director of Atkins' European operations, says: "This is a major project which will improve Copenhagen's infrastructure and bring important transport links to a key area of the city.

"It is the most significant contract to date for Atkins in Denmark and we're confident it will be an important stepping stone to more high profile work for our locally-based business."

The initial scope of the JV's work, over the next 18 months, involves taking the project from the current conceptual design phase through to systems procurement.

In 2018, when the Metro City Circle Line is completed, it will represent one of the most advanced transport systems in the world.