Network Rail’s top suppliers were paid nearly £4.1bn last year – 42% of the infrastructure provider’s total spend with suppliers.

The rail infrastructure body raised spending among its leading suppliers by 7%, with major power supplier EDF continuing to rank as the biggest supplier followed by signalling and train control specialist Siemens Mobility in second place.

Among the civils contractors, BAM Nuttal ranked top again with a total spend, including Transpennine route upgrade work, rising to £360m.

Among those civils firms enjoying increased spend, J Murphy & Sons ranked fourth with £336m.

Combined revenue from Colas Rail and its Rail Systems Alliance operations, totted up to £326m placing it in the top five.