Cautious optimism for UK construction?
The busy autumn into winter period has begun with many new project starts and several events coming up in our calendar. The ONS estimates GDP growth of 0.5% In QTR 2 (April to June) and from August onwards it has felt increasingly busy here at PRA. This leaves me feeling cautiously optimistic for UK PLC over the next three to six months as we are seeing an increase in enquires all around, from new build projects to the remediation of existing buildings.
Of course, we are still acutely aware of the volume of buildings which need fire remediation. The official figures released in August now show that 4,771 residential buildings 11 metres and over, have been identified as having unsafe cladding with 2,377 having either started or completed their remediation works. This still leaves 2,394 not started, 50% of the total identified.
Our Façade Focus event later this month will address amongst other things, the speed at which these buildings are being remediated and how we in the industry can up the pace whilst working within the constraints of the Building Safety Act. We have also recently published an article, “A Case Study in Façade Remediation” which introduces some of the challenges we are facing as an industry. I do hope to see some of you at our next Façade Focus event on October 17th when we will continue our discussions on these very important changes to our industry.