Construction activity expanded for a ninth straight month last month, with the PMI far exceeding economists' forecasts in a of 61.5, and all three sub-sectors of the industry expanding.
As the strongest sub-sector, Residential house building rose to 67.3, its highest since November 2003. Commercial construction and civil engineering both rose to a six-and-a-half year high of 64.0 and 63.5 respectively.
Tim Moore, Senior Economist at survey compilers, Markit, said "The latest data show positive developments on a number of fronts, with job creation rebounding at the start of the year while output and new business growth was the fastest since the summer of 2007".
Tim Moore, Senior Economist at survey compilers, Markit, said "The latest data show positive developments on a number of fronts, with job creation rebounding at the start of the year while output and new business growth was the fastest since the summer of 2007".