The bellweather Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index registered 53.2 in September – up from 49.2 in August.

Any reading above 50 represents growth in the industry and it is the first time the index has passed that mark since May.

Buyers also reported the fastest rise in new orders for six months as residential work led the recovery.

Tim Moore, Senior Economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI ® , said: “UK construction companies moved back into expansion mode during September, led by a swift recovery in residential building from the three-and-a-half year low recorded in June.

“Resilient housing market conditions and a renewed upturn in civil engineering activity helped to drive an overall improvement in construction output volumes for the first time since the EU referendum.

“A number of survey respondents noted that Brexit-related anxiety has receded among clients, although it remained a factor behind the ongoing decline in commercial building work.

“Construction firms appear reasonably optimistic about the near-term outlook, with confidence linked to the fastest rise in new orders since March and a more upbeat economic news flow in general.”

John Tutte, Chief Executive Officer at Redrow, said: “It is encouraging to see housebuilding has not been impacted by ‘Brexit’ and is underpinning an upturn in UK construction activity.

“Given the desperate need for new homes in the UK, this is a strong step in the right direction, which should be bolstered further by this week’s announcement of fresh government support to increase new homes delivery”.