Construction of roads and motorways

SIC 42110Section F: Construction|Data verified: 2026-04-17
3,833Active Companies
Section F: Construction
Division 42
SIC 42110

What is SIC Code 42110?

SIC code 42110 classifies businesses engaged in construction of roads and motorways. There are 3,833 active companies registered under this code in the UK, forming a substantial sector within the national economy. It falls under Section F (Construction) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.

See the full industry analysis on the Construction of roads and motorways industry page.

3,833
Active
18
Dissolved
4,983
Total
8.8y
Avg Age

Sector Analysis

With a 77% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 18 of 4,983 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. Companies in this sector average 8.8 years old, reflecting a balanced mix of established businesses and newer market participants. Growth has been exceptional recently: 54% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 29%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. Companies are geographically dispersed across the UK, with no single location dominating. The top three locations — LONDON, RICHMOND, BIRMINGHAM — together account for just 12% of the sector.

Formation by Decade
11%
29%
54%
Pre-1990: 123
1990s: 131
2000s: 404
2010s: 1,099
2020s: 2,076

Frequently Asked Questions about SIC 42110

What does SIC code 42110 mean?

SIC code 42110 stands for "Construction of roads and motorways" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section F — Construction. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.

How many UK companies use SIC code 42110?

There are currently 3,833 active companies registered under SIC code 42110 in the UK, out of 4,983 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 77%, meaning 23% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.

Where are most SIC 42110 companies located in the UK?

The top locations for construction of roads and motorways companies (SIC 42110) are: LONDON (270), RICHMOND (97), BIRMINGHAM (96), DONCASTER (68), MANCHESTER (64). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.

Is the construction of roads and motorways sector growing or declining in the UK?

The sector is growing: 54% of currently active SIC 42110 companies were formed since 2020, and 29% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for construction of roads and motorways services in the UK.

What is the typical company profile for SIC code 42110?

Companies classified under SIC 42110 have an average age of 8.8 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include COLAS LIMITED, COSTAIN LIMITED, F M CONWAY LIMITED.

What SIC codes are similar to 42110?

Related SIC codes within the same division include: 42990 (Construction of other civil engineering projects n.e.c.), 42220 (Construction of utility projects for electricity and telecommunications), 42120 (Construction of railways and underground railways), 42910 (Construction of water projects). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.

How do I find companies registered under SIC code 42110?

You can search for companies with SIC code 42110 (Construction of roads and motorways) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.

Explore Companies Under SIC 42110

Search, filter, and analyse 3,833 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.

Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.