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<p>The Department has not made any such estimate as a result of snowfall in the last
12 months, however, the Department commissioned a review of the resilience of the
UK transport networks in the face of extreme snow conditions in 2010.</p><br /><p>‘The
Resilience of England’s Transport Systems in Winter’ estimated the welfare cost of
domestic transport disruption from severe winter weather was around £280 million per
day in England. The direct economic costs alone amount to £130 million per day.</p><br
/><p>The transport sectors have taken steps to implement the lessons from those severe
winters and to implement the recommendations from the review. For example, on the
rail network additional specialised snow and ice clearing trains have been procured,
and on the third rail network south of the Thames heating elements have been installed
at critical locations to prevent the third rail from icing up. In terms of aviation
readiness, since 2009/2010 Heathrow has invested £36m, and Gatwick £15m, in winter
operational readiness.</p><br /> <br /><p>In a survey conducted by the Department
in mid-November 2015, total salt stocks being held for use on the roads, including
emergency salt reserve (salt of last resort) is approximately 2.2 million tonnes.
The findings of this survey highlight that local highway authorities are holding robust
salt stocks, have been replenishing their stocks and have entered this winter season
in a resilient position.</p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
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