Convincing demonstration of 21 st Century strategic logistics capability

I think not.

The last few weeks have clearly demonstrated how near the limits of viability the current infratsructure is running. The transport system is in ordinary weather conditions running near capacity to meet demands placed upon it. And when something like a bit of snow comes along the transport falls apart and because of things like "just-in-Time" there's no reserve capacity in the industrial system - the only reserve nowadays is with the final consumer and only if he decides to keep stock.

God knows what would happen if we we hit by a winter like 1963 or 1947. Those winters hit the whole country at the same time and lasted for 6 -8 weeks in their most severe form

Where's the emergency contingency arrangements as should be detailed in a national logistics/transport plan ? Clearly we ain't got any..

If a weather event, in this case snow, knocks out the major air transport hub (Heathrow) for landings, why aren't they stepping down to road or rail.

Why are Eurostar not running a Folkestone.Calais shuttle service through the chunnel (after all there is no snow there) and then bussing/railing people to the main city termini as best thet can.

We were told in the late 80s, during the reign of MHT, that big companies could organise things much better than government, especially in crisis. With the "Financial crisis" over the last few years and particularly the last two weeks we've seen the lie in that. Faced with unlimited financial risk, these bl**dy organisations just back away and fall apart, starting with their customer information systems.

Nick