Construction is at its fastest in five months

Construction activity rose at its fastest rate in five months in March but the civil engineering sector remains weak.

That is according to the latest Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index, which showed activity rose for the second month running to 60.8 in March from 57.9 in February. Any reading over 50 represents an expansion in activity.

Ulster Bank said the index pointed to a sharp monthly increase in total construction activity, and the most marked since last October. According to respondents, strengthening customer demand was the main factor leading activity to rise, the bank added.