A senior highways engineer has said the failings of coping with last winter’s heavy snowfall were largely down to winter service plans not matching capabilities.
The source, who did not wish to be named, urged other local authorities to ensure their plans fell in line with what they could and could not deliver on the ground. ‘Last winter was not just about lack of salt or government interference’, he said.
‘Most authorities’ winter service plans were as robust as they could have been, and were delivered in line with that, but expectations are often a lot higher than what can actually be achieved,’ he added. ‘Those two need to be more consistent going forward.’
He said authorities were ‘hurt’ by suggestions at the recent Cold Comfort 2009 conference that they had been complacent by not holding enough salt and preparing for such emergencies.
‘Every authority I know, given the circumstances, gave it their all towards coping with what was a particularly tough time for everyone involved.’
Meanwhile, the chairman of the steering group from the UK Roads Liaison Group winter service review, Matthew Lugg, has again highlighted the need for authorities to take notice of the recent review, and make the ‘necessary and vital’ changes needed to ensure they were better prepared this winter.
‘I urge all local authorities to use the report and embrace the fact that they need to increase their resilience. We can’t have a repeat of what happened this winter,’ Mr Lugg told Surveyor. ‘I know in the Midlands we had some real problems. And I know that if I hadn’t addressed this in my own authority and it happened again this winter, I would be without a job,’ he said.
‘Authorities must consider whether they feel comfortable about allowing a repeat of this winter. Budgets are tight, but I’m sure after what happened, politicians will listen,’ he added. The Government’s response to the winter service review is due this month.
• Lessons from the severe weather February 2009
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