UK Construction Contractors Cash in on New Opportunities

COSTAIN GROUP took this month’s top spot in the contractor league tables after being appointed the contractor for two major road projects. These were a new SMART motorway on the M62 at Brighouse and widening works on the A1 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with a combined value of £575 million.

In the runners up spot this month is Bowmer & Kirkland with 8 awards totalling £138 million. A new primary and secondary academy in Enfield provided £45 million of the total. The scheme is part of the Government Free School Initiative and will provide education facilities for 2,000 children.

The latest edition of the Top 50 League Tables published by industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights the number and value of construction contracts awarded during August. This month shows that the combined value of contracts awarded to the Top 50 was just over £2.6 billion with a total of 130 projects.

In August, Kier Construction was the busiest contractor with a total of 14 contract awards at a combined value of £108 million. BAM Construction sits at the top of the rolling 12-month league table with 51 projects at a total value of £1.9 billion.

Tom Hall Chief Economist at Barbour ABI

Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI & AMA Research said, “The value of contracts picked up by top contractors fell back in August to £2.6bn from £3.9bn in July. This fits with our expectation of subdued activity due to the uncertainty caused by the possibilities of subsequent outbreaks of Covid-19, a disruptive Brexit and a wider economic slowdown. However, the construction market is retaining some momentum after the slump during lockdown, and there are new projects coming through, although at lower levels compared to before Coronavirus.”