Downturn online: SOUTH WEST

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Medical and scientific contracts have slumped in the South West which is contrasted by a surge in the value of retail work for contractors.

Glenigan values medical and scientific work starts for the first seven months of this year at £32 million which compares to £157 million for 2007.

At the same time education work has surged ahead so far this year with starts valued at £321 million  compared to £312 million for 2007, according to Glenigan.

Private and social house building has remained fairly flat but has not shown drastic falls yet. 

For the first seven months of 2008 starts on site are valued at £745 million compared to £1.1 billion for 2007. That compares to social housing starts being valued at £139 million this year which is not too far off hitting last years total value of £204 million.

Retail development is another strong area. The value of retail starts this year stands at £159 million compared to the value last year of £158 million, while hotel and leisure is also robust coming in at £123 million. That outstrips the whole of last year's value of £117 million.

Meanwhile, infrastructure is lagging behind valued by Glenigan at £73 million so far in 2008 compared to £317 million in 2007.