London was ill-prepared for the heavy snowfall on 2 February, slowing the city's recovery, a report has found.
London was ill-prepared for the heavy snowfall on 2 February, slowing the city's recovery, a report has found.
There was a lack of communication and support between emergency services, local councils and Transport for London (TfL), the London Assembly (LA) said.
There was a lack of communication and support between emergency services, local councils and Transport for London (TfL), the London Assembly (LA) said.
LA committee chair Val Shawcross said: "Despite the weather forecasts, the response by key agencies in London was a little slow to get off the ground."
LA committee chair Val Shawcross said: "Despite the weather forecasts, the response by key agencies in London was a little slow to get off the ground."
A TfL spokesman said it welcomed the report and would respond later.
TfL said it welcomed the report and would address the issues raised in it.
Commuters woke up to the heaviest snowfall in almost two decades a month ago, followed by suspended bus services, icy roads and school closures.
Commuters woke up to the heaviest snowfall in almost two decades a month ago, followed by suspended bus services, icy roads and school closures.
Questions must be asked about how the response was led Val Shawcross, London Assembly
The assembly's transport committee looked at how agencies worked together to restore services across the city.
The assembly's transport committee looked at how agencies worked together to restore services across the city.
It said that under such "extreme" conditions, severe disruption to the transport network was "inevitable".
It said that under such "extreme" conditions, severe disruption to the transport network was "inevitable".
Miss Shawcross added: "While some disruption was inevitable, the evidence we heard suggests a lack of preparation and co-ordination delayed the capital's recovery."
Miss Shawcross added: "While some disruption was inevitable, the evidence we heard suggests a lack of preparation and co-ordination delayed the capital's recovery."
Questions must be asked about how the response was led Val Shawcross, London Assembly
For example, London Ambulance Service said it asked local authorities for help clearing access routes to ambulance stations but some councils refused.
For example, London Ambulance Service said it asked local authorities for help clearing access routes to ambulance stations but some councils refused.
A number of London boroughs said they received little or no communication from TfL and as a result attempts to grit or salt roads were unco-ordinated or too late.
A number of London boroughs said they received little or no communication from TfL and as a result attempts to grit or salt roads were uncoordinated or too late.
'Lessons to learn'
Bus services were also hampered by a lack of clarity around who was responsible for clearing snow from bus garage driveways.
Bus services were also hampered by a lack of clarity around who was responsible for clearing snow from bus garage driveways.
The report called for further examination of TfL's contingency plans and emergency procedures.
The report called for further examination of TfL's contingency plans and emergency procedures.
Miss Shawcross added: "Questions must be asked about how the response was led, including whether the mayor, as chair of TfL, could have been given the opportunity to be involved at an earlier stage."
Miss Shawcross added: "Questions must be asked about how the response was led, including whether the mayor, as chair of TfL, could have been given the opportunity to be involved at an earlier stage."
TfL said: "We have always acknowledged that there are lessons to be learned by us and our borough partners and it is a highly valuable contribution to that process.
TfL said: "We have always acknowledged that there are lessons to be learned by us and our borough partners and it is a highly valuable contribution to that process.
"We will address all of the points raised as part of our lessons learned exercise and will publish our full response to each in due course."
"We will address all of the points raised as part of our lessons learned exercise and will publish our full response to each in due course."
A spokesman for London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "The report recognises that when rare and extreme conditions occur then severe disruption is inevitable.
"We accept there is scope for better coordination between TfL, the emergency services and the London boroughs and will consider all recommendations on how to improve this."
Were you caught out because of the snowfall last month? What is your verdict on the way things were handled in London or the area where you live? Send us your comments using the form below.
Were you caught out because of the snowfall last month? What is your verdict on the way things were handled in London or the area where you live? Send us your comments using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
