Concrete floor saw users working for Serco will construct a new prison at Belmarsh in west London.

The company announced that the contract is worth £415 million and building will begin immediately.

A contract with the Ministry of Justice has been signed for the international service firm to design, construct, manage and finance the new institution, while Serco is also the preferred bidder for a similar project in Maghull.

Skanska is the construction firm that will be building the prison, which will be completed to Category B standards to hold 900 adult males.

"Serco has a strong track record internationally of providing high quality service in the management of prisons," Christopher Hyman, chief executive of the group, said.

The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2012.

Skanska also recently announced that it and Costain had won a second contract to work on Crossrail's Pudding Mill Lane Portal.

Written by Ryan Gilbert