Interim report of the Winter Resilience Review published

An Independent Review of how UK transport systems coped with the last two winters has recommended measures to get national government, local councils, businesses and the public in England ready for the coming Winter.

The Review, commissioned by Transport Ministers and chaired by transport expert David Quarmby recommends in its Interim Report:

- that government imports quarter of a million tonnes of road salt to help ensure there is enough salt to deal with a UK winter as severe as last year;
- that all local authorities review and update their winter plans, including consulting fully on the networks to be treated, and considering whether less salt can be used while maintaining effective coverage;
- that government helps the public to help themselves by issuing a short, simple code on clearing snow and ice from pavements, to reassure and encourage them, and help guard against negligence claims.
- that properly coordinated research is needed to update various technical standards, so that local authorities have authoritative guidance for improving salt utilisation.

The Review’s interim report makes 17 recommendations covering highway authorities’ winter maintenance, the road salt supply chain, public expectations, weather forecasting and self-help by the public. It focuses particularly on the need to keep the road network moving in the event of snow and ice next winter.

Read The resilience of England's Transport Systens in Winter (PDF)

Local Government Association response

Responding to the publication of the interim independent ‘Winter Resilience Review’, Cllr David Sparks, vice chairman of the Local Government Association, said:

“During the summer most people enjoy the luxury of being able to forget about ice and snow, but local government can’t do that. Councils have already been at work examining what happened last winter, updating their plans for dealing with extreme weather and getting in fresh supplies. Stocks of salt are being replenished and new gritting lorries are being delivered.

“Taking the right action now, in the height of summer, can make all the difference when the dark days of winter make a return. The gritting season will be with us in three months, and councils need to know all the salt they have ordered will be in place.

“It is of paramount importance that councils can get clear and accurate information about salt stocks and deliveries during times of extreme snowfall. Working together effectively is dependent on local and national government having all the information they need from the salt suppliers about what can be provided and when.”

The LGA recently published its own report on the impact of last winter’s weather which made ten recommendations, including:

* The government should issue clear advice to individuals and organisations that they will not be at risk of prosecution if they clear icy pavements themselves. A poll carried out for the LGA has shown nearly three quarters of people felt that protection should be introduced.

* Salt suppliers, businesses, and central and local government should have strong continuity plans in place to make sure the country stays open for business during severe winter weather.

* Councils should expand their co-operation with neighbouring authorities and look into the case for joint reserve salt stocks across a whole area, which they could then call on when demand for salt exceeds supply.

•Date: 27th July 2010 • Region: UK •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
Rate this article or make a comment - click here