Morrison Construction is hoping to reap the benefits from the recent downturn in the north-east oil and gas industry, the firm has said.

Speaking to the Press and Journal yesterday, Ken Gillespie, chief executive of Galliford Try’s construction division, which includes Morrison Construction, said there were practicalities of doing business in the region which could make it easier for Morrison to win more public sector work after the recent slump in oil prices.

Mr Gillespie added: “A year ago I would be telling you how we could not get a hotel room or people in Aberdeen.

“But we have seen a huge change and it is now a much better environment for us to push on with our work.

“It helps us with some of the public sector work we’ve got going on.”

He was speaking after Galliford Try announced plans to grow its construction division to £1.5 billion turnover within three years following a record start to the financial year.

Morrison has delivered more than £1 billion of public and private sector projects throughout Scotland over the past five years.

It is part of the Connect Roads consortium building the 28-mile, £745 million Aberdeen bypass, alongside Balfour Beatty and Carillion.

Morrison is also involved in the £790m Queensferry Crossing project to replace the existing Forth Road Bridge.

Other work includes the £48.5m contract for Hub North Scotland at Wick Campus, which is due to be completed in September 2016 and will replace the existing Wick High School, Newton Park Primary School, South Primary School and Pulteneytown Academy Primary School.

The development will also replace Wick’s existing public swimming pool and library facilities.