UK Tranport Minister admits mistakes on Winter tyres

ERJ staff report (DS)

London -- Following a debacle over a week ago, the UK Transport Minister, Philip Hammond has corrected his position on Winter tyres, but still says there is no reason to compel motorists to use them in the UK.

On 2 December, Hammond said Winter tyres were not appropriate for UK roads, suggesting that they impose excessive wear on roads. He appeared to be confusing modern winter tyres with chains or studs which do affect the road surface.

Hammond took the opportunity of a question from Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab) on 20 December, to say, "I clearly mangled my words in my reply to her. I was trying to convey that in the circumstances of the UK, and given the cost of fitting winter tyres, I do not believe it appropriate to mandate their use. However, I am happy to confirm on the record that for those who can afford winter tyres-not just the cost of buying them, but the costs of putting them on and changing them back at the end of the winter, and of storing summer tyres-they provide significant additional grip for motoring in such cold conditions."

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New statement by Hammond from UK Parliament (Scroll down or search on 'Gisela')

Original statement by Hammond from UK Parliament (Scroll down or search on 'Gisela')