Terms of Reference

The review will report in two phases, reflecting the need to:

a) identify measures that can be implemented relatively quickly in preparation for next winter 2010/11, and
b) to take a longer term view of our preparedness for severe winter weather in future years.

Phase one

The phase one report will aim to identify quick wins aimed at improving resilience in preparation for next winter 2010/11. This will largely focus on the planning, production, deployment and distribution of salt stock for the road network, including possible enhancements to the supply chain. It may include recommendations across other modes if opportunities are identified. The phase one report will be published in July, before the summer parliamentary recess

Phase one – Winter resilience and salt stock management

1.1 Weather forecasting
- Review of the availability and accuracy of weather forecasts, their communication and interpretation for highway authorities.
1.2 The complete salt supply chain and treatment strategies by highway authorities
- A critical review of the complete salt supply chain, in the context of the lessons learned and actions implemented from the 2008-09 winter season, and how it might be most effectively planned and managed. Review the actions already under way by authorities following experience of the 2009-10 winter season.
- Consider and evaluate the different treatment regimes adopted by different authorities. Review the monitoring and reporting processes for levels of readiness including salt re-stocking.
- Critically examine a range of options covering resilience levels, diversification of supply, collaborative storage and procurement, mutual aid between authorities, and the contribution of innovations and technology in winter servicing.
- Critically examine the case for national regulations, and powers of ministerial intervention, to ensure that adequate supplies are maintained at local level and by the Highways Agency.
- Make recommendations designed to make better preparation for next winter season and achieve improved winter resilience on the roads.

Phase two

The phase two report will consider wider aspects of resilience of transport services across various modes through the winter season. It will review communications, economic impacts, public expectations and issues around weather forecasting. Publication will be targeted for autumn 2010.

Phase two – maintaining cross-modal winter transport service provision

2.1 Coordinating an immediate response to severe winter weather
- Review how well existing approaches work in achieving a co-ordinated and efficient response to severe winter weather in the UK, including:
  - Clearance of snow from transport infrastructure
  - Maintaining access to and resilience of critical infrastructure e.g. emergency services, motorways and other strategic highways, railway depots and stations, airports, ports, freight routes, power stations, hospitals
  - Effective communication to travellers and transport users, communities, and providers of critical services
- Identifying examples of best practice in providing a fast and efficient response (e.g service delivery, communications, resilience networks), including practices of other European countries who experience similar winter patterns to the UK.
- Advice on the most appropriate central government role in facilitating co-operation between key delivery agencies.
2.2 Resilience of rail services in severe winter weather
- Review the overall approach taken by Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies in preparing the network and its infrastructure for severe winter weather. Review experience and lessons learned by NR and TOCs in service planning and delivery, and in sustaining network availability. Review the effectiveness of communications to passengers and freight users, and lessons learned in handling the consequences for operations and for passengers of service disruption.
- Make recommendations as appropriate.
2.3 Resilience of airports and air services in severe winter weather
- Review the approach taken by airport operators and airlines in planning and managing the consequences for airports and air services of severe winter weather in the UK. Review their experience and lessons learned; review the effectiveness of communications to passengers within the UK and overseas, and lessons learned in the handling the consequences for operations and for passengers of service disruption.
2.4 Weather and long term trends
- Review and analyse current thinking on likely trends in weather and winter temperatures and conditions for the UK, the accuracy of forecasts and possible developments, and their relevance for winter resilience strategy in England.
2.5 Economic analysis
- Analysis of the likely costs and benefits of different approaches to winter resilience, bringing together costs of alternative levels of preparation and intervention with the benefits of greater resilience to business, travellers and the community at large. Account will be taken of approaches taken in other countries with similar weather patterns to the UK. This will include a review of the policies and standards relating to treatment of footways, costs of accidents and public liability.
2.6 Communications and public expectations
- Consider public attitudes and expectations of winter resilience and whether these can be met. How well communications work between public authorities, service providers and their users, the role of media and how communications can be improved. Enabling end users to help themselves (use of grit bins, snow clearance, etc).