Written question asked by Ben Chapman (Labour) on Thursday, 21 January 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 January 2010. It was answered by Lord Khan of Tooting (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 January 2010 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Ice and Snow: Merseyside

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will discuss with Wirral Borough Council (a) damage caused by ice to roads in the borough and (b) the clearance of snow from main and side roads in the borough.

Answer: The maintenance of the local highway in Wirral is the responsibility of Wirral metropolitan borough council. This Department has published guidance on its emergency capital highway maintenance funding scheme. If Wirral metropolitan borough council wishes to submit a claim for this funding, in connection with damage caused by this winter's severe weather, the Department will arrange for its consultants to provide free assistance to the authority.As the local highway authority it is a matter for Wirral metropolitan borough council to decide on their policy for clearing snow and ice from their roads. The UK Roads Liaison Group (UKRLG) has published "Well maintained highways" a code of practice for highway maintenance. They have recently published updated guidance on the section which covers winter maintenance. Both the code of practice and the revised winter service guidance are available free of charge on the UKRLG website:"www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org"

Secondary information