Support services group Atkins this week revealed a solid set of results for the six months to the end of September, despite a 拢3m provision on its Metronet investment.

Pre-tax profit at the company rose 5% to 拢30m during the period but it was held up because of delays to the capital recovery programme of Metronet, the London Underground consortium in which Atkins owns a one-third stake.

Keith Clarke, Atkins鈥� chief executive, emphasised the fact that Metronet was under a new chief executive, former Jarvis man Andrew Lezala, but recognised there was a lot of work still to be done.

Clarke said: 鈥淲hile progress has been made in the past six months, it will take time to evidence any significant recovery. These issues must be satisfactorily addressed if the returns from Metronet are not to be impacted at all levels.鈥�

However, the news came as no surprise to the City, which had received warnings from Atkins. Shares were therefore relatively unaffected, down less than 2% to 750.5p.

Clarke said the focus of the business was likely to remain within the UK, although he expected further growth in the Middle East where the company already employs more than 1000 staff. He described China as 鈥渁 significant challenge but also a significant opportunity鈥�.

Turnover during the six months rose 11% to 拢516m and the interim dividend was increased to 21p a share from 19.7p.