Name that gritter! Wiltshire encouraged to come up with original names for new fleet

Wiltshire residents of all ages are being encouraged to 'name that gritter' as the 24-strong fleet of brand new vehicles prepare to keep roads safe this winter.

Wiltshire Council has leased the fleet ready for the cold spells ahead and is now keen to give them names.

Schools are being encouraged to ask pupils to put forward names for the fleet. For schools who successfully name a gritter they could be in with the opportunity of winning a visit from their gritter.

The competition is also launched on Wiltshire Council Facebook (opens new window) and Twitter (opens new window), and people can come up with fun, catchy names which will be emblazoned on the machines. The hashtag for the competition is #WiltsGritterComp. As well as social media, people can email events@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) with their chosen names. The competition will close at 4pm on 29 November 2019, when a judging panel will pick out the best. The winners will be announced soon afterwards.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: "These new gritters are our frontline response to snow and ice and people will see them out and about in the coming months.

"It's a great opportunity to name our new fleet and I'd love people to come up with fun, clean, original names, indeed people may want to come up with local names, so please send in your ideas our gritters need names!"

As well as the most up-to-date technology, the new winter fleet is also fitted with the very latest low emission engines.

The gritters, which will be stationed in strategically located depots across the county, will be used on Wiltshire's primary road network of A and B roads, covering 726 miles and spreading approximately 150 tonnes of salt each time they are sent out.

In severe or prolonged cold weather, the roads treated can be increased to 50% by treating our secondary routes. 

Wiltshire Council has more than 11,000 tonnes of salt in stock strategically placed throughout the county at six storage sites.

There are also weather stations in key areas to closely monitor the weather and provide real-time information to assist in producing accurate forecasts to ensure gritters are sent out at the right time.

A dedicated team of duty engineers monitors the weather 24/7 during the season, supported by highways staff, and 24 drivers are on standby to be called into action at any time.  

During winter, people can get updates on both the weather and road conditions on Twitter by following @WiltshireWinter.

"It's a great opportunity to name our new fleet and I'd love people to come up with fun, clean, original names, indeed people may want to come up with local names, so please send in your ideas our gritters need names!"