Report forecasts 12% UK rental decline in 2009-2010.

The UK equipment rental market will decline by 12% over the 2009-2010 period following an 8% fall in 2008, with a flat 2011 and limited recovery in 2012-13, according to the latest market study by AMA Research, the UK research body.

"The UK construction equipment rental market is estimated to be worth some £4.4 billion in 2008, having declined by an estimated 6% in 2008 compared to the previous year", said AMA Research.

"Variable market performance in 2007-2008 reflects the combined impact of modest growth of around 6% in 2007, followed by a 6% market decline in 2008, mirroring the negative impact of the global financial crisis and downturn in private residential and some sectors of non-residential construction."

The organisation emphasised that the economic environment in early to mid 2009 was extremely volatile, and that its forecasts were subject to change; "and it is also difficult to estimate the timing and scale of a slowdown and eventual recovery."

The reports costs £625 and is available from AMA Research Ltd.