There is increasing evidence pointing towards a general slow-down in the construction industry.

Now, a UK trade survey - covering the first quarter of 2008 - has substantiated this evidence by reporting a downturn in building activity in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The study, compiled by the Construction Products Association and the Construction Confederation, noted the hardest hit sectors as private housing and industrial projects.

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The UK report found the most resilient areas are proving to be public sector infrastructure, health and education.

Heavyside manufacturers have been worst hit by the slowdown whereas lightside manufacturers still have high workloads despite the slowdown.

Other key survey findings in the study included the rise in lightside sales of construction products in the first quarter of 2008. Building contractors also reported a fall in output in the same period, the first fall for four quarters.

The report suggests the total civil engineering workload remains strong and that employment of all the main categories of personnel within civil engineering is also holding firm.

The report concludes that contractors are slightly more optimistic than during the last quarter, with a net balance of 25% of contractors anticipating an increase in work over the next quarter.

(PR)