Strong growth in aggregate sales

"THE Quarry Products Association’s latest quarterly summary of construction material trends shows strong growth in the fourth quarter of 2001, with sales volumes up in all four sectors."

"Compared with the same period of 2000, sales of crushed rock aggregates rose by 6%, sand and gravel by 11%, asphalt by 14% and ready-mixed concrete by 8%."

"For the year as a whole there was a strong recovery in sales as the year progressed, following the very poor first quarter. The end result was a relatively flat overall picture, with full-year figures showing crushed rock aggregates down 2%, sand and gravel up 3%, asphalt up 3% and ready-mixed concrete showing no change, compared to the previous year. Sand and gravel performed better than crushed rock because of its greater weighting in the busy construction markets in south-east England."

"The stronger second half of 2001 reflected the expectations of the industry of an improving trend throughout the year, partly due to the poor second half of 2000, while the improvement in asphalt sales may be an indicator that the higher levels of road and transport investment in the Government’s Ten Year Transport Plan are beginning to have an impact (implementation of the 10-year plan commenced in April 2001)."

"The QPA says that, putting all these issues into perspective, a relatively stable level of overall sales is expected in 2002, with public services and infrastructure investment being the strongest driver of the construction and aggregates markets."