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Ministers have been challenged by the LGA over transport spending following February's freeze fiasco. David Sparks, chairman of the LGA's regeneration and transport board, told MPs on the Commons transport select committee better co-ordination of salt supplies was key to avoiding a standstill the next time snow falls on the scale it did this year. MPs are investigating the severe transport disruption which followed the biggest blizzards for 18 years. Cllr Sparks told the committee: ‘Central Government needs to make a decision on the priority it gives to public transport and the amount of investment it needs to get it up to the standard of our continental rivals. In adverse conditions you are frequently far better off in your own car.' He also claimed it was a ‘myth' that every street in the country is gritted and called for a national inquiry. Matthew Lugg, chair of the UK Roads Board, said there had been a problem with ‘the whole supply chain' and accepted that co-ordination of salt supplies at regional government level could help resolve this. He said: ‘We need to look at this option. Some authorities would welcome regional stockpiles.' Martin Low of the TAG Transportation Committee defended the response from councils saying their plans had worked: ‘It was quite simply that we had huge snowfall in a short period of time.' Mr Sparks also warned against complacency: ‘Just because of a one in 18 year event, we shouldn't assume it's going to be another 18 years before it happens again.' Paul Clark, the transport minister, told the committee the Government is to review salt provision after last month's chaos. Salt suppliers are also now expected to be quizzed by the committee.

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National inquiry call to look into 'freeze fiasco'

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