Action needed over winter transport issues

The road network is still vulnerable to winter weather disruption, and more needs to be done to keep drivers informed. That's the verdict of MPs on the Transport Select Committee.

While there was some praise for improvements made – such as increased supply of road salt for gritting lorries – the Committee has called for further progress.

In its Winter Resilience Report, the Committee said that more should be done by the Highways Agency to review the barriers to providing real-time information to drivers on conditions on the roads.

It wants the Agency to identify technological and other solutions for getting information to drivers, particularly during periods of major disruption, and says it should develop a strategy to implement these solutions across the strategic road network.

The committee's chairman, Louise Ellman, explained that it wasn’t just snow that was the problem. "Disruption to transport is not just caused by snow. We saw recently the impact of severe storms and flooding on transport services.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "We welcome the committee's report and we will consider its findings.

"Transport operators have been working hard to keep the public informed during the recent severe weather, but they should not be complacent and must continue to explore how best to keep the country moving during bad weather."

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