UK: Industry data show asphalt sales up, cement down

Also posting declines in Q1 were gravel and ready mix concrete. [$]

{reg}[PAID={"id":"15,16,17","title":"The content you tried to access is only available to paid subscribers.","link":"1"}]The UK Mineral Products Association (MPA) is calling for an increase in government investment for the construction industry.

This is after they released first quarter sales figures that showed mixed results for cement and aggregates.

Sales of crushed rock increased by 6% and asphalt by 9% due to an increase in roadbuilding and repairs following the winter.

However, cement sales fell 3%, gravel 6% and ready mix concrete by 7%, the MPA data indicated.

The MPA also expressed concern that the localization of the planning system set out in the by the newly installed Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government might constrain recovery in the housing and private development markets, damaging the potential for sustained economic recovery.{reg/}