An urgent review has been launched into how Britain's transport infrastructure has coped during the big freeze.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said:

“We took urgent action during the summer which means we’re better prepared for severe weather than last year – a national strategic salt reserve exists for the first time.

“But I share the frustration of the travelling public and we need to be sure that we are doing everything possible to keep Britain moving.  In October David Quarmby published a review with a series of recommendations which we and transport operators agreed to act on.

"Given that much of the country is being hit unusually early this winter by severe weather, I have asked David Quarmby to take the opportunity to conduct an urgent audit of highway authorities’ and transport operators’ performance in England over the last few days, their progress in implementing the recommendations and any further steps that need to be taken. Complacency is not an option. There are lessons to be learned from our performance in every bout of bad weather and it is important that we learn those now.

“Unfortunately, in extreme weather conditions some disruption is inevitable but there is no excuse for poor communication with passengers and motorists.”