Civils work to slow down, warns CECA
13:05 15 May 2003
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A slow-down in civils work is expected over the coming months, despite a rise in workload in the first quarter of 2003, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has warned today (Thursday).
CECA's latest trend survey shows that the state of order books are down to -2 compared to +5 at the start of the year and +19 last July.
In com[parison with last year, future order books are weaker with electricity work standing at -56 compared to -26 in January and motorways and trunk road work at -32 compared to -22 at the start of the year.
However order books for the railways have increased to +24 compared to a January figure of +4.
Water and sewerage works are also up at +6 compared to -5 at the start of the year.
Employment figures for skilled operatives compared to a year ago remained constant at +30 although slightly down on the +41 figure for January.
"It is no real surprise to us to see these indications of a slowdown in the rate of growth of civil engineering at this stage," said CECA national chairman John Fraser.
"The picture painted by our survey is more of an industry plateauing out, for the time being, at a historically high level of activity."