Maintenance demand as construction output slumps

Industry leaders are calling for more cash to be pumped into highways maintenance as the total volume of construction output fell 9.5% during the second quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year.

The dramatic drop came as private sector work started to mirror the downward trend of public sector spending and output for the three months fell to £24.4bn.

Over the year, the largest falls in new work were seen in public housing (25%), infrastructure (24.8%) and other public non-housing (21.2%).

Noble Francis, Construction Products Association Economics Director said:  “There is an urgent need for government to address this situation by immediately embarking on a programme of repair and maintenance across all areas of the country, especially for housing and roads."