Hot topics for the cold season

19/03/2018 | DOMINIC BROWNE

Highways speaks to the chair of the National Winter Service Research Group (NWSRG), Chris Cranston, about what the key areas for debate will be at this year’s Cold Comfort events and receives an exclusive briefing on the latest news and research.

This winter season has called the sector into all out action for the first time since the extreme weather we saw at the turn of the decade. One source even suggested there had been more de-icer used across the north of the UK than in the big winter of 2009-10. 

Against this backdrop, delegates will head to Cold Comfort Scotland and Cold Comfort firm in the knowledge that their work has once again proved essential to safety and the economy in the harshest of conditions. Mr Cranston tells Highways that how the sector reacted to the Beast from the East will, of course, be a key issue on the conference floor, particularly salt reserves, and how much mutual aid was needed.

Despite the NWSRG producing world leading research and being tasked with updating national guidance on winter service practice in the UK, it is still run on a shoestring budget and has found its extra workloads hard to match to its limited resources.

He tells Highways: ‘Work has been progressing on the new winter service guidance from the NWSRG but we have had some delays due to illness. We hope to have clear updates on what is going on at Cold Comfort. We imagine there is some frustration in the winter community but I would say there is still sound science in the previous guidance. There won’t be wholesale changes but we are trying to improve style and simplify things to an extent.

‘We are still going through a change process in the NWSRG. We have had some people who were supporting us from a consultancy point of view retire and we still have a key focus on one on two people at the moment so we want to broaden our capacity and move away from that. Of course it is difficult with limited resources.’

When Highways spoke to the NWSRG last year, it was hoped that the Department for Transport would be able to provide more funding to support the extra workload and possibly widen its remit. However Mr Cranston reveals that they are still awaiting a response.

On a more positive note, there are some schemes in the pipeline that should be of great interest to the sector. Firstly Mr Cranston reveals that some new guidance is coming out in draft form shortly on the key issue of weather forecasting.

‘We have commissioned the Met Office to put together some guidance on road weather forecasting and road weather systems, which will be looking to come up with some draft guidance in the next few weeks for consultation. That’s an exciting area of the guidance that’s is moving forward.’

On the topic of research, he revealed that the NWSRG has been speaking to Highways England and there will be some funding to get that started in the financial year to carry out research into residual salt, including areas such as how to determine what level of residual salt there is, when you should retreat, and whether you can assume there will more residual salt using pre-wet salt or other products.

‘At the moment a scoping paper is being put together and that will go out to members to see if that is what is right for them. Following feedback from last Cold Comfort we know it is a key issue for the sector and there was a lot of desire to see more research in this area.’

Speaking to Richard Hayes, chief executive of the Institute of Highway Engineers, Highways discussed the tricky issue of winter service budgeting.

‘I think the difficulty we’ve got is that people have a budget for winter but they don’t necessarily have a cost per day or a cost per part of the season. The majority of winter service is about doing the routine, stopping ice from forming on nights when it’s minus one, minus two. However, when you’ve got a more critical situation and you’re throwing everything at it, as you would in a reactive situation like snow, then it's very difficult to work out what the budget is going to be. Obviously everyone says spend it and you tap in all the numbers and there’s not enough money to cover it.

‘You have to have that flexibility because we’re getting more severe events, we need to allow for some of those severe events on a more regular basis.’

Registration is now open for the 27th Annual Cold Comfort conference and exhibition. The annual winter maintenance event takes place on 16 and 17 May at the Ricoh Arena Coventry. Register today and take advantage of Early Bird discounts.

The 5th Annual Cold Comfort Scotland winter maintenance conference and exhibition takes place on 26 April at the Hilton Dunblane Hydro.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Streetscene

£92,027 - £105,394 (Director Grade) Pay award pending
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Senior Highways Network Technician - WMF2149e

£33,366 to £34,314
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Service Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW