Storms, high winds, heavy rain and flooding all present unique challenges for winter maintenance teams. As a result of extreme weather events, their effects and their impacts on the UK highways network, the Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned a research report from Dr Hugh Deeming to identify any lessons that have been learned for ensuring the resilience of the highway network.

Published in 2021, Dr Deeming’s report on weather resilience in the United Kingdom highlighted the need for the UK to become more prepared for extreme weather events, such as floods and storms. It also emphasised the importance of developing contingencies for protecting the highway connections to critical infrastructure, such as power and communication networks.

The report was based on extensive research and included input from a range of highways authorities and operators who deal first hand with the impacts of extreme weather. As a result, it provides a valuable overview of the challenges faced by the UK when it comes to weather resilience.

During the research process, Dr Deeming found clear evidence that an encouraging amount of effort was being expended in collaboration with local highway authorities working to build resilience, both internally within their authorities and externally, with other authorities and responder agencies, but also with suppliers and communities through peer support networks.

These findings set the tone for Dr Deeming’s keynote address at the A New Winter Approach conference in Crewe on the 19^th October, 2022, where he shared the recommendations from his report, followed by an open discussion with delegates around the challenges they faced from extreme weather and the resilience strategies implemented.

Sharing information across peer groups allows authorities to build networking communities where they learn from one another. This is one of the key aims of the A New Winter Approach events which bring the winter service industry together in regional conferences across the UK.

Dr Deeming’s report – Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery: Identifying lessons learned by the UK highway sector from extreme-weather emergencies (2015-2020) – is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about the impact of extreme weather on the UK. Click here to read the report

With £200 million of government funding recently injected into walking and cycling schemes across England, alongside the DfT’s recent appointment of Chris Boardman as permanent National Active Travel Commissioner, active travel schemes remain high on the government’s agenda. And with good reason.

The proven health benefits of active travel schemes see millions of people across the country benefit from healthier local journeys via a boost to air quality and improved physical and mental health. Additionally, increases to the cost of living (particularly fuel costs) and a focus on climate change has seen the public seek more fuel-efficient methods of transport.

But with active travel more important than ever, local authorities have a responsibility to ensure getting around towns and cities on foot or by bike is an easy and attractive option all year round.

“For cycling and walking to become the natural choice for shorter journeys, people must feel safe and the options must be easy.” Chris Boardman

Any local authority or highways agency with segregated cycleways and pathways should have a strategy in place to treat them during the winter season. But many authorities have found a ‘one size fits all approach’ doesn’t always extend from the treatment of roads to cycle and pathways.

Charles Robertson (Winter Service Solutions) and Paddy Hastie (Peacocks Salt) share their advice on the effective treatment of active travel schemes.

Legislative requirements

Although active travel schemes form part of the highway network, authorities don’t have a legal obligation to treat them if this has been stipulated in the authorities’ winter service strategy, a common reason being with stretched budgets, treating the roads remains the priority.

Paddy comments, “The balance between economics and safety is currently a big topic of debate. And although it can be costly to properly maintain footpaths and cycleways, in doing so, Local Authorities are helping to promote Active Travel right through the year.”

Charles adds, “The amendment to the Railways and Transport Safety Act in 2003 made it clear authorities had a duty to ensure safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice. Similarly, to the 2003 amendment, the industry could soon see it become a legal requirement to treat footpaths and cycleways as they grow in popularity and are used by the public throughout the entire year.”

Treat them carefully

Before making any decisions on the most appropriate treatment methods, Paddy recommends looking at the cycleway itself. Factors including the location, if it runs through a town or village; proximity to water (as marine life needs to be considered); and if the route includes and vegetation or metal structures will all influence the vehicle and type of material used to de-ice.

The route length and any obstacles along the route (such as bollards) will also play a part in any decision making as this determines the size of vehicle and tank needed to cover the pathways.

De-icer options

The treatment of active travel schemes should not be approached the same way as roads. Unlike roads, which see a higher traffic flow, the temperature of cycleways tends to be colder. This drop in temperature is aided in many cases by vegetation which tends to grow alongside the route.

Liquid de-icers are predominantly used on active travel schemes over rock salt as the low footfall, infrequent traffic and cyclist’s thin tyres cannot provide the activation salt needs to start the de-icing process.

Sodium Chloride brine is the most cost-effective liquid de-icer, however excessive use can cause corrosion on metal structures and surfaces such as cycling stands and railings. Other liquids (such as potassium acetate) treat to much lower temperatures and last longer than a salt brine, meaning less treatments are required. However, with the price of potassium acetate recently tripling, some local authorities have adopted cost saving methods such as using two different de-icer tanks on the same vehicle to treat different sections of the same route.

Vehicle options

With the surge in popularity of active travel schemes, there number of vehicle options available. Mini tractors and flatbed pick up trucks are a popular choice as they are sturdy enough to hold de-icer treatments, but nimble enough to travel down narrow pathways.

Using vehicles for precautionary treatments is one consideration, but the vehicle’s ability to clear snow should also be considered. Mini ploughs are one option, as well as adding power brushes, which push snow to both sides of the pathway.

Although there is a shift to using electric vehicles in areas such as London where there are low emission zones, Charles predicts technology still has a way to go before electric vehicles are fully adopted by the winter maintenance industry until current limits with charging time and battery life are addressed to make these a viable option.

To download a PDF version of this article click here

The UK’s leading sustainability conference for the winter service industry returns in-person on the 27^th April 2022 supporting local authorities and winter maintenance experts to build an environmentally-friendly strategy in the most cost-efficient way, explore the latest technologies and solutions, and innovate collaboratively to a sustainable future.

We are delighted to announce the return of A New Winter Approach as an in-person event, giving delegates the chance to meet face-to-face and network with neighbouring authorities following two years of lockdown.

Taking place on the 27^th April in South Wales, the CPD-accredited conference will bring together our team of seven industry-leading innovators to share best practice information about how to approach the winter season, while showcasing the technologies and services that can offer value and sustainability, helping the industry address some of today’s most pressing challenges.

Hear the latest best practice advice…

Following the success of the digital summit last year, the one-of-its-kind event will give delegates the chance to hear the latest best practice advice from experts on a wide array of topics, covering everything from alternative energy approaches, to maintaining legislative compliance, ways to increase winter service engagement and achieving net-zero.

Throughout the day, attendees will be able to participate in an action-packed programme, including a series of presentations, workshops, Panel Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities.

This year, we are delighted to announce our keynote speaker as Tim-Peppin, Director of Regeneration and Sustainable Development from the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). Tim will be joining us to discuss the work of the WLGA’s Salt Network – why it was formed, what it has achieved and looking ahead to the future, including climate change and other environmental concerns, the shift in emphasis towards public transport and active travel routes, and lessons from the COVID pandemic. Special guest, David Bachelor (NWSRG Secretary) will provide an insight into what’s new at NWSRG, how the completely revised membership model facilitates greater engagement with highway authorities and how a renewed focus on research and knowledge transfer to best practice guidance will benefit the winter service sector. 

“Our conference brings the winter service industry together to understand and resolve the issues facing it. Together we will ensure local authorities and winter maintenance experts can walk away with comprehensive knowledge of the most innovative solutions to ensure efficiency and the most cost-effective ways to keep roads safe in winter.”

Charles Robertson, ANWA Vice-Chair

Building a cost-effective winter strategy…

With the UK committed to ‘net zero’ by 2050, there is increasing pressure on local authorities and winter maintenance subcontractors to become more environmentally sustainable while cutting costs.

Gritting has long been one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways for councils to keep roads safe and the economy moving through adverse weather conditions in winter; however, research has shown it has direct environmental impacts. Additionally, salt is considered a non-renewable resource, making it imperative to explore ways of mitigating these impacts and implement more eco-friendly solutions.

A New Winter Approach brings the winter maintenance industry a different type of conference, which focuses on the advantages of collaborative working and information sharing to explore the latest innovations and technologies that can help the industry to address these challenges.

“This is not to be missed if you are looking to create an innovative, environmentally sustainable winter maintenance strategy in the most cost-efficient way. The industry relies on salt, a mineral with finite availability to deliver its service, and it is crucial that tools are in place to ensure the right amount is delivered in the right place to be effective and to minimise damage to the environment. The industry also needs better data to understand the most efficient way of treating its networks, and the event will demonstrate the latest technologies, from weather forecasting to GPS routing and salt sheeting systems, that can address this.”

Alan Sheen, ANWA Chairperson

Learn from industry-leading brands…

Following the postponement of the event in 2020, last year ‘A New Winter Approach’ was delivered as a digital summit. The event brought together over 100 delegates over a week packed with free expert talks, round table discussions and panel Q&A sessions.

This year the leading sustainability conference for the winter service industry returns in-person. The event will feature a series of presentations from industry leading brands in the UK, including MetDesk, Exactrak, Econ, Winter-Service-Solutions-Ltd, Peacock-Salt, Eurodome, and Salt-Sense-Ltd – who together will share insights on how the industry can innovate to a sustainable future. View our 2022 programme here.

Our event is free to attend and is accredited by the Institute of Highways Engineers, awarding attendees 5 hours of CPD points.

Join us to receive 5 hours of CPD points!

‘A New Winter Approach’ will be taking place on the 27^th April 2022 at the Coldra Court Hotel in Newport, Wales. The conference is accredited by the @Institute-of-Highway-Engineers and rewards attendees with five hours of CPD points. Attendance is free, but we have limited places available. Don’t miss the chance to join the biggest gathering of winter service industry professionals. For more information and to register, click here. 

We’ll see you there!