SO WHAT DOES THE INDUSTRY WANT?
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A relaxation of drivers' hours seems a key request. As yet, the Dff shows no signs of the same softening stance that saw drivers hours relaxed last winter (CM 12 January).
"We need more joined-up thinking and to identify sectors that struggle during these conditions," says Freight Transport Association chief economist Simon Chapman. 'One idea," he tells CM, "is to relax hours in blocks, rather than on a week-by-week basis."
He conceded the DfT was being "more proactive", but "there was some way to go".
Road Haulage Association (RHA) head of communications Kate Gibbs says: 'One lesson will be to keep in close contact with customers, and especially delivery points, to ensure those receiving deliveries will be able to do so." Last winter, Gibbs says disruptions to schedules and the inability to work were the key issues.
"Members have reported increased vehicle costs since last winter because of suspension damage and, on lighter vehicles, tyre damage caused by the deterioration of road surfaces," Gibbs says.
The RHA's wish list comprises: good planning backed by adequate financial resources; improved consultation and information flow; greater use of a range of resources to clear roads; modest improvements to the drivers' hours relaxation process.
MET forecasts say there is currently "no snow" on the radar. Maybe we should take that with a pinch of salt, or even a tonne, if it's in stock.