Calling all Somerset schools: Somerset Council needs your help in naming two gritting vehicles – new to the fleet – this year.
Winter is only round the corner and Somerset Council and its highways contractor Kier are gearing up for the season, making sure the gritters are ready for whatever weather comes our way.
Last year schools came up with some gritty-witty names for two vehicles and now the Council is inviting them to put those thinking caps on again.
The closing date for this year’s competition is 7 November and then all entries will be shortlisted by Somerset Council and Kier, which will be followed by the public voting for the winners.
The winners will then be treated to a visit from “their” gritter as happened at Brymore Academy and West Pennard Primary School. Brymore’s Gritty Gritty Bang Bang and West Pennard’s Spready Mercury were chosen after a public poll.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said:
“Last year’s entries were brilliant with some inventive pun-tastic ideas.
“It’s a great way for local children to get involved in naming the road gritters and learn more about road safety in the winter. I can’t wait to see the creative names the children come up with and see some new gritters on the road this winter.”
Tom Stockley, Operations Manager with Kier Transportation, added:
“We’re look forward to running this competition again this year. It’s great for the pupils to get involved, and understand more about our challenges during the winter months. Gritting is important as it helps keep roads safe and reduces weather-related disruptions, whether you’re heading to school, work, or appointments.
“Road gritting involves spreading rock salt on roads to prevent ice and snow buildup, giving car tyres better grip. With temperatures falling, gritting teams will soon be undergoing trial runs – and will grit the roads when the weather is set to fall below 0.5 degrees.”
