Strong key sectors drive weak upturn

摘要

Project starts in the West Midlands fell further back during 2009, dropping by 21 per cent on the previous year.rnThey recovered at the start of 2010 but this upturn appears to have faltered, with an 11 per cent fall over the three months to August, compared with a year ago.rnThe industrial and private housing sectors have picked up in 2010, with the value of new work increasing substantially over the first half of the year. The longer-term outlook for industrial has particularly improved, with underlying planning approvals rising 32 per cent in the first six months of 2010 - any subsequent growth in project starts would represent a significant boost to the region.