Statement re J.A. Jones Inc

Balfour Beatty PLC
20 September 2002

                       BALFOUR BEATTY AND J.A. JONES INC

Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction and services group,
announces today that it has been in substantive discussions with regard to the
potential acquisition of J.A. Jones Inc, a leading US engineering, construction
and services group.

The Board believes that the acquisition would create significant strategic and
financial benefits.  However, in order to finance the acquisition while at the
same time maintaining an appropriate capital structure, an equity issue would be
necessary.  Current equity market conditions have led the Board to conclude that
it is not appropriate to raise equity at this time and, accordingly, we have
decided not to proceed with this transaction.

As a result of the costs arising from the detailed, extensive and exclusive due
diligence associated with this potential acquisition, it is anticipated that an
exceptional charge of approximately £9 million will be taken in the 2002
accounts.

Balfour Beatty's current trading is in line with expectations and the company is
confident of delivering further progress in 2002 and beyond.  It is anticipated
that the record half-year order book of £4.8 billion will shortly be extended
significantly by the addition of major new contracts in outsourced services;
rail, civil engineering and building contracts under the London Underground PPP;
and in other UK infrastructure development.

Enquiries to:

Tim Sharp
Tel: [phone]
www.balfourbeatty.com


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