Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions.
The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
Free Traffic Information Seminars
Helping your business get its customers, drivers and goods where they should be, on time and stress-free.
Capability Assessment Toolkit 3
Introducing new and challenging indicators in the area of corporate social responsibility.
Efficiency Gains from Collaborative Roads Procurement
Delivering efficiency and best value is central
Planning, Whatever the Weather
June 2008
Until now there has only been formal guidance on planning and managing winter conditions on the Highways Agency’s network. All other severe weather events, such as flooding, gales, high winds or heatwaves, were normally bound into Service Provider Area Contingency Plans but the level of detail and preparedness varied.
The weather conditions over the past two years have highlighted the importance of preparing for all severe weather with events such as:
- Flooding in Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Somerset
- Flash flooding across England
- 80mph gales in the North
- Tornados in London and the Midlands
- Heatwave warnings in July 2006
The New Template
The National Winter and Network Occupancy Team have now created a new template that covers all these severe weather events. The template provides a framework for individual Service Providers to capture their arrangements for severe weather. For those familiar with the Winter Service Plans, it has been developed with the end user in mind, sharing consistent features with the previous Winter Plan. The key differences are the definitions of severe weather and an additional section to enable documentation of plans and procedures for other severe weather types.
Severe Weather Definitions
The definitions of severe weather includes the types of severe weather warning issued by the Met Office and Flood Warning System used by the Environment Agency.
The National Severe Weather Warning System
The Environment Agency Flood Warning System
The new section on severe weather first documents how the Service Provider is alerted to potential severe weather and how these are evaluated, escalated and actioned if required. The severe weather section then lists each of the main types of severe weather and asks for the following to be documented as applicable:
- Locations prone to the severe weather type
- General procedures and protocols in place
- Specific location plans, e.g. M48 Severn Bridge High Winds Filtering
- Resources available
It goes on to document network features which may influence management of severe weather incidents; for example areas of trees adjacent to the network vulnerable to high winds.
Finally
By including all this information in a single document, the Severe Weather Plan provides a “one-stop shop” for weather-related events on the network. It is important to remember that it is impossible to manage the weather but it is feasible, through advance preparation, clear communication and good teamwork, to limit its effects on the network.
Has this article been worthwhile reading? Why not take a moment to send us your comments, thoughts or questions. Please e-mail TIMbulletin@highways.gsi.gov.uk.
