The Local Government Association (LGA) is to host a webinar examining how councils can prepare their highway networks and communities for severe winter weather, with flooding, transport disruption and pressure on local services among the risks to be considered.
Taking place on Tuesday 10 November, from 10.30am to noon via Microsoft Teams, the session will explore the latest winter outlook and the lessons learned from previous extreme weather events, with a focus on the role of councillors in supporting preparedness, response and recovery.
The LGA says the potential for a mild, wet and stormy start to winter, followed by a possible return to colder conditions in the New Year, presents challenges for local authorities. Prolonged rainfall and flooding could disrupt road networks and affect emergency services, care workers, schools and local supply chains, while saturated ground followed by freezing conditions could create further pressures for highway maintenance and winter service operations, including salt stocks.
The webinar will examine how councils can interpret forecasts and weather warnings, make informed operational decisions and maintain resilience when severe weather affects several neighbouring authorities at the same time. The session will also consider the challenges of coordinating mutual aid when demand for resources is high across an entire region.
Building on the LGA’s July webinar, Extreme weather and the resilient highway network, the event will look at how councils can communicate reliable information to the public, identify vulnerable residents and isolated communities, demonstrate where support is most urgently needed and plan for recovery from the outset.
Confirmed speakers include John Lamb, chair of the UK Board for Adaptation, Biodiversity and Climate Resilience at the UK Roads Leadership Group; James Bailey, assistant director for highways and the built county at Staffordshire County Council; and Ann Carruthers, director of growth, environment and transport at Leicestershire County Council.
Presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer session, giving councillors the opportunity to discuss the challenges of preparing for and responding to severe winter weather.
The webinar takes place on Tuesday 10 November, from 10.30am to 12pm, via Microsoft Teams and places can be booked by clicking HERE
(Picture: Yay Images)
