The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has launched a new suite of practical guidance to help the UK’s local highway authorities strengthen their response to the growing threat of climate-related disruption on the local road network.

The resource release comprises a flagship document, “All hazards operational guidance: responding to climate disruption”, alongside six supporting operational response checklists designed to support frontline practitioners managing flooding, extreme heat, wildfires and other climate hazards.

As climate-related events become more frequent and severe, local authorities face increasing pressure to maintain network resilience, protect communities and make timely decisions during rapidly evolvingincidents. This new guidance provides a practical framework to help highway authorities move from reactive response towards proactive preparedness and operational resilience.

Developed through extensive engagement with highways practitioners, sector partners and subject specialists, the guidance draws on evidence and learning from the Department for Transport’s review of extreme weather events, UK Roads Leadership Group seminars and a series of workshops involving sector leaders.

The guidance, which has been supported by Ringway, sets out how authorities can establish clear leadership and decision-making arrangements, develop shared situational awareness, prioritise interventions based on consequences for communities, and capture learning from incidents to improve future resilience and investment decisions.

Alongside the operational framework guidance, CIHT has produced six hazard-specific operational response checklists, giving highways teams practical tools that can be adapted to local circumstances and usedbefore, during and after disruptive events. Together, the documents form part of a toolkit designed to help authorities adapt their networks to climate change, and translate strategic planning for disruptive eventsinto effective operational action.

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT, said:

“Climate-related disruption is no longer a future challenge; it is an operational reality for local highway authorities across the UK and beyond. Local roads are vital community lifelines, connecting people towork, education, healthcare and essential services.”

“This new guidance has been developed by practitioners for practitioners. It provides a structured, practical approach that will help authorities anticipate risks, make informed decisions under pressure and respond consistently when incidents occur.”

“By strengthening preparedness and supporting continuous learning, the guidance will help the sector build more resilient networks and better protect the communities that depend upon them.”

(Picture: National Highways)