The bleak trading conditions where highlighted in an industry survey by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association.

Collapsing workloads are still the biggest worry for contractors alongside the continued spread of suicide bidding.

But the biggest increase in complaints concerned poor client practice.

Civil engineers said they they are being increasingly hampered by long delays and bureaucratic procurement.

CECA director of external affairs Alasdair Reisner said: “It is no surprise that falling workloads continue to pose the greatest concern reported by members – CECA has been warning for some time that the country is undergoing an ‘infrastructure crunch.’

“Given this strain on the industry it should be of grave concern that the number of members reporting being directly affected by poor client practices in the last six months has increased considerably. It is essential steps are taken to stamp out adversarial practices, and to implement leaner forms of procurement.

“Given the difficulties faced by the sector, CECA also believe the government should act now to boost output through the implementation of shovel-ready repair, maintenance and minor works.

“This will drive economic growth, delivering rapid improvements to the country’s vital infrastructure networks. It will also help sustain the industry to ensure it is fit to meet demand as the economy gets back on its feet.”