Construction activity growth slowed slightly in September, despite a bounce in housebuilding, a survey showed on Tuesday.

The Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply said its seasonally adjusted index for construction eased to 53.6 in September from 54.5 in August, but was still above the 50.0 level that separates expansion from contraction.

Housebuilding activity rebounded from a marked decline in August to show a reading of 50.1 in September.

However, commercial construction activity eased, giving a reading of 54.8 from 57.5 in August, while civil engineering activity contracted in the month after robust growth in August.

Growth in new orders also slowed in September to a reading of 54.1 from 56.7, but firms were more optimistic about their prospects, with the expectations index rising to 75.7 from 74.7 in August.

Firms' input costs eased slightly in September but still remained well above the 50.0 no change level at 69.0 from 72.1 in August.