Gritters will be out in force at Stansted Airport on 24th March as delegates from across the country gather for the only national Snow Summit to take place in the UK.
Following the harshest winter in decades, Essex County Council in partnership with the Local Government Association is holding a national Snow Summit to assess the performance of Local Authorities this winter, and to find new and innovative ways forward for the future.
The Snow Summit, which has a string of top speakers from industry, government, service users and even the Swiss highways division, will provide a forum for discussion and debate which will feed into new policy decisions.
Delegates will assess delivery across the UK this winter and will have the chance to question the Government’s policy of centralising salt supplies and rationing it to local authorities, known as Salt Cell. John Dowie, the Chair of the Department for Transport’s Salt Cell will defend the Government’s record.
Schools, road users and businesses will all get the chance to argue their case, and the Automobile Association will challenge delegates with their recent survey findings taken from 20 000 of their members who used the roads this winter.
The debates and technical sessions will contribute to the LGA’s review process, meaning the Snow Summit will feed directly into future policy.
Councillor Norman Hume, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation said, “This winter has been a challenge for us all and one that we have worked hard to meet.
“The Snow Summit provides the whole country with an opportunity to look at what practices have worked during the recent adverse weather and analyse what could have been improved upon, as well as encouraging us all to look towards future preparations.
“We’re trying to enable the development of future UK winter services based on best practice gleaned from operations across the UK and the rest of Europe. This will provide a better foundation to shape the way in which both local and national government can work together with their partners to keep the country moving.”
Councillor David Sparks, Local Government Association said, “Councils have a crucial role to play when it comes tow inter weather and keeping the country moving. The LGA will be conducting a review to learn lessons from this winter, looking at what was done well and what can be done better.
“The LGA is pleased to be associated with this event, organised by Essex County Council as an important part of that process. Councils and their staff have worked tirelessly to keep the country moving this winter but it is only right to see where we can improve preparedness for bad weather.”
The Snow Summit takes place on 24 March 2010 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at London Stansted Airport. Speakers include the Department of Transport, the Automobile Association, Institute of Directors, UK Roads Board, Compass UK/Salt Union, National Association of Head Teachers, ABM Spiez in Switzerland and Local Authorities. For more information go to www.essex.gov.uk/snowsummit.
Media Contact: Nicola Toulson 01245 430929
15 March 2010
