COMMONS watchdogs today demanded greater investment to prevent a repeat of the winter snow chaos which brought Merseyside’s transport system to a standstill.

The transport select committee told operators to place greater stress on the welfare of rail and air passengers and improve information to road users. Those that fail should face hefty fines.

Chairman Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside, said: “More can and should be done to ensure that networks continue to operate in severe weather.”

Merseyside was hit by two heavy snow periods either side of the New Year.

Although, in December, road gritting operations were effective, the January spell saw roads and rail snowbound, John Lennon airport briefly shut down and flights cancelled.

Mrs Ellman said: “Every airport operator must now be pushed to plan properly for bad weather so that people are not left stranded and even denied basic supplies in airport terminals for days on end.

“In future, any failure to provide information about service disruption during severe weather should cost the firms responsible money.”