Figures from the Mineral Products Association (MPA), which represents aggregate producers, show an improvement in sales in 2013. Aggregates, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete sales all grew in the final quarter and for the year as a whole.

Sales volumes of aggregates increased by 6% in 2013 with concrete sales up by 11% and asphalt 4% higher than in 2012. Following a poor first quarter, industry volumes started picking up in April and fourth quarter sales remained positive.

The figures reflect the sharp improvement in housing starts following the first quarter, with housing related material sales 25% higher in the final nine months of 2013 than the same period of 2012. The MPA figures indicate an improvement in construction markets other than housing and that such signs of improvement are evident throughout GB, although unevenly.

However, as with the housing and construction statistics, the MPA results need to be considered in context. Compared with pre-recession activity levels the aggregates, asphalt and concrete markets remain some 30% down.