The North is the only region in the 海角视频 bucking trends to see a lift in construction workloads, with private and public sector housing in particular providing a boost.
The construction sector is attempting to tough out the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic across the 海角视频, having seen a steep fall in the second quarter of the year.
And the North has seen a 4% rise in workloads in the third quarter, the only region to see an increase, in contrast to a fall of 38% in the second quarter of the year.
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The findings were revealed in the RICS North of England Construction and Infrastructure Survey for the third quarter, which showed that private industry workloads picked up, with a net balance of 16%. Private and public housing construction also saw a jump, with respondents reporting an increase of 12% and 13% respectively.
Infrastructure construction also rose, and only private commercial and ‘other’ public works saw declines of 10% and 7% respectively.
Respondents said that financial constraints and shortages of materials, coupled with insufficient demand, were the main reasons for subdued activity.
Looking ahead, infrastructure and industrial development are expected to lead the sector’s recovery over the next year.
Around 35% more respondents expect infrastructure workloads to rise rather than fall, with positive expectations around public and private house buildings also offering the construction sector opportunities.
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Anticipated changes to the planning system, planned government spending on infrastructure schemes as well as the stamp duty holiday look likely to support growth in activity.
However, profit margins will likely drop over the next 12 months - and with a net balance of -26% of respondents expecting a fall thanks to the impact of the pandemic.
RICS chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: ”With a new lockdown now underway, these are clearly very challenging times for the economy.
“The Government’s commitment to delivering on its infrastructure programme provides a ray of light with the survey pointing towards a solid increase in workloads over the next twelve months which could play an important role in helping to drive a wider recovery in business activity for businesses in the North of England.
“The private residential sector is also expected to see solid growth aided by the various policy initiatives that are still in play. However, commercial development is anticipated as being flatter in the face of the structural pressures facing both offices and retail.”