Commenting, John McDonough, Carillion chief executive said:

'The acquisition of Alfred McAlpine is a major milestone in Carillion's development. The combined Group will be one of the UK's foremost support services businesses, with significantly enhanced capabilities to provide integrated solutions for services, buildings and infrastructure, from private finance to life-time asset management.

With an order book in the region of £20 billion and well established positions in a wide range of growth markets, Carillion is well placed to continue its strong momentum in 2008 and over the medium term.'

On 8 February, the Office of Fair Trading decided not to refer the proposed acquisition by Carillion of Alfred McAlpine to the Competition Commission.