Firm set to be main contractor on HMP Grampian in Scotland

The Scottish government has named Skanska Construction as its preferred bidder for a £120m prison-building contract.

The contractor fought off competition from Carillion, Kier, Interserve and Morgan Sindall to win the job.

“Super-jail” HMP Grampian is due to open in Peterhead in 2014 and will hold around 500 male and female adult prisoners, as well as young offenders.

The new jail will replace two older facilities, Peterhead Prison and Craiginches in Aberdeen.

The Scottish Prison Service confirmed its intention to award the main construction contract to Skanska, probably in November.