Sales of crushed rock aggregates and asphalt in the UK have returned to positive growth in the first three months of 2010, according to the latest report from the Mineral Products Association (MPA). The organisation has reported that sales of crushed rock aggregates and asphalt were up 6% and 9%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2009.
Sales of crushed rock aggregates and asphalt in the UK have returned to positive growth in the first three months of 2010, according to the latest report from the Mineral Products Association (MPA). The organisation has reported that sales of crushed rock aggregates and asphalt were up 6% and 9%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2009.
Nonetheless, the MPA also reported that sales of cement, sand and gravel and ready-mixed concrete sales all declined (by 3%, 6% and 7%) again in the first quarter.
The MPA said that the positive figures are a reflection of progress on national road schemes and work to repair local roads following the freezing weather earlier in the year, although the growth is from historically low market levels.
The cement and concrete trends indicate that general construction activity remains very depressed – supporting the prediction in the latest Construction Products Association (CPA) forecast that construction output will decline by 3% this year.
