New-build infrastructure work rose at its sharpest rate for 18 months at the end of last year, official data has revealed.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released figures showing that the sector grew by 11.4% in November 2021, its biggest leap since May 2020.
A report from the data body said renewable energy projects had driven infrastructure growth during this time, as well as road and rail schemes.
In total £2.8bn of new-build infrastructure output was recorded in November, representing almost 30% of total new construction work that month.
The value of new infrastructure work was a massive 40.9% higher than the same month a year earlier, showing the scale of the bounce-back from 2020.
Total industry output was £14.7bn in November 2021, up 3.5% from October 2021 and 6.8% from November 2020. The industry was doing pre-pandemic levels of monthly work for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19, according to the figures.
Anecdotal evidence from survey returns suggested strong demand for work had combined with an easing of supply chain bottlenecks for certain products and unseasonal mild and dry weather to boost the industry, the ONS said.
Construction data business Glenigan said just before Christmas that this year could see a meaningful rebound from the pandemic.
Economic director Allan Wilen said in December: “Encouraging contract awards and planning approvals figures highlight recovery is on the horizon with a stable pipeline of projects anticipated in 2022 and beyond.”
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