LONDON, November 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
A report released today (27 November) reveals that the construction pipeline in the North of England could increase five-fold if major transport infrastructure projects are given the go ahead in next week's Autumn Statement.
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Barbour ABI, which is a chosen provider of construction data to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Government, has published the special report examining current trends in the northern construction market and its prospects for the future.
In the report, it is revealed that the top 25 most valuable projects in the pipeline for the North of England total £8.2 billion. This figure could be set to quintuple if projects such as the £20 billion Trans-Pennine high speed rail development and Phase 2 of HS2, worth £21.2 billion, are approved.
Experts also believe these projects would create a fully integrated transport hub for the northern regions, facilitating the concept of a 'ManSheffLeedsPool' regional economy by building on the individual and collective power of each of these major conurbations.
It is thought the idea of a 'northern powerhouse' will be a focal point of Chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement on December 3, with the Government set to outline plans for greater infrastructure investment and devolution outside of the capital.
Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, commented: "Our report clearly shows that the northern regions would benefit greatly from investment in transport infrastructure, both in terms of boosting construction output and improving wider economic prosperity.
"While London and the South East are still dominant, accounting for more than a third (35 per cent) of the UK's construction output last year, the northern regions are performing strongly in the medical, healthcare, industrial and residential sectors.
"At present, the construction pipeline for the top 25 most valuable projects in London and the South East totals £47.8 billion, outweighing the North's by five to one. If these transport infrastructure projects do get the green light, it will surely go some way to bridging the gap."
To download the report, visit: http://ubm.io/1yha6Or
Notes to editors:
About Barbour ABI:
Barbour ABI is a leading provider of construction intelligence services. With a team of in-house research specialists and a dedicated lead economist, it provides commercially relevant insight and unique analysis of trends and developments within the building and construction industry.
Barbour ABI is the chosen provider of industry data and indicators for Government bodies including the Office for National Statistics and the UK Government's Construction and Infrastructure Pipeline, which outlines future construction and infrastructure projects where public funding is agreed. Barbour ABI also provides data for independent organisations, such as the Construction Products Association.
Barbour ABI is part of global events-led marketing services and communications company, UBM, and is headquartered in Cheshire Oaks, Cheshire.
For more information, go to http://www.barbour-abi.com or follow us on Twitter @BarbourABI for all the latest construction data news.
About UBM:
UBM helps businesses do business, bringing the world's buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and specialist content. Its 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into expert teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.
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Press enquiries to:
Jonathan Touhey at Barbour ABI
e: jonathan.touhey@barbour-abi.com
t: +44-(0)151-353-3605
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