The latest figures collected by the Mineral Products Association offer evidence of a more sustained recovery in industry fortunes after an improvement in the early summer.

Aggregates, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete sales volumes rose by between 9% and 11%, compared with the third quarter of last year.

Underlying aggregates and ready-mixed concrete trends are now positive with a sharp improvement in the moving annual trends.

While the initial rise was put down to increased house building activity the latest returns indicate that general construction activity is beginning to recover.

Asphalt sales have lagged this year but, following two better quarters, are now just positive (+1%) for the year to date. But the moving annual trend is still negative following the 18% decline in markets in 2012.

Nigel Jackson, chief executive MPA, said, “These are welcome figures following historically low 2012 volumes and a painful and extended period of highly depressed markets.

“It looks like construction is turning the corner but we now need sustained and consistent improvements in overall construction output to build on this early improvement.

“Government actions, notably the Help to Buy initiative have helped to stimulate increased housebuilding and positive infrastructure announcements have created the prospect of significant medium term growth in this sector.

He added: “Government now needs to sustain a relentless focus on boosting growth and competitiveness and to deliver on its infrastructure ambitions to ensure that the construction supply chain has the confidence to invest and expand.”