CONSTRUCTION projects in Halton are creating jobs and boosting industrial growth, according to a recent report.

The value of industrial building contracts in the north west totalled more than £138m in November, accounting for 23.5 per cent of the overall contracts awarded.

That’s an increase of 9.3 per cent on the same month last year.

A new £8 million Lidl store, creating 20 jobs and £2.3m Polar Ford dealership employing 100 people in West Lane, Runcorn,contributed towards the building boom.

New homes across Halton also helped support the industry.

These latest figures,taken from Barbour ABI’s latest economic and construction market review, show a 178.3 per cent increase across the UK last year.

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “The figures highlight strong performance in the industrial sector overall, but particularly in the north west where this type of construction appears to be booming. This is a positive sign for the region, which is already well-respected for its long tradition of industrial innovation.”