David Quarmby to lead winter weather inquiry
David Quarmby CBE, the chairman of the RAC Foundation, has been appointed by Lord Adonis to lead an independent review into the impact of the extreme weather of last winter on transport.
David, who is the former chief executive of the Strategic Rail Authority, will head a three person team. Phase one of the review will explore what lessons can be learned from the experience of the last few months and what measures need to be put in place for next winter. The results of this part of the review will be published in the summer.
Phase two will address longer term issues and will be made public in the autumn. Commenting on his appointment, David Quarmby said:
“Last winter’s severe weather – and the transport problems it created – were rare in historic terms, but because of climate change the country needs to be prepared for more frequent extreme conditions. The establishment of this review shows the Government has recognized how important a resilient transport network is to the economic and social wellbeing of the nation, and just how many people are affected when things go wrong.”
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications
020 7747 3486 / 07711 776448
Notes to Editors:
The RAC Foundation is a charity which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and responsible road users. Independent and authoritative research, carried out for the public benefit, is central to the Foundation’s activities.
The review will be chaired by David Quarmby CBE, currently Chair of the RAC Foundation and former Chief Executive of the Strategic Rail Authority. He will be supported by Brian Smith, currently Assistant Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council and Chris Green, a Non-Executive Director of Network Rail and former Chief Executive of Virgin Trains.
More details of the review can be found at the DfT website in a press release…
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=202&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=412822&SubjectId=36
and a written ministerial statement:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/khan20100330a