Wiltshire Council’s superbly named convoy of winter gritters is prepared to deploy in the colder months to keep roads safe.
Ringway Wiltshire, the highways company which helps service the gritters, took to social media to say the council’s gritter force was being readied for winter.
They said: “Wiltshire Council gritters are back on station and being readied and route tested by Ringway Wiltshire operatives in preparation for the coming winter season.
“Congratulations to the ops for having the cleanest gritters in the UK.”
A spokesman for the council said: “Salt is usually used on roads after the evening peak of traffic or before the morning rush, as late evening and early morning are the most likely times that frost and ice affect road surfaces.
READ MORE: Plans by son to build new house for father refused
“All key routes in Wiltshire receive precautionary salting when ice is forecast, including motorways, trunk roads and class A and B roads.”
On Twitter the council said: “It's great to see Buzz Saltyear, Gritty Rascal, Sir David Attenbrrrr and friends primed and ready should they be needed in the coming months.”
The council has a stock of 13,000 tonnes of salt which can be found at six strategic sites.
READ MORE: Seven in ten carers worked more during the pandemic
It also has weather stations in important locations to provide up-to-date information to guide where the gritters should be sent out.
On average it can take up to 140 tonnes of salt to grit Wiltshire's A and B class roads and 230 tonnes to salt an extended list of roads during prolonged cold weather.
In 2020, the 24 vehicle force was given names based on the suggestions of residents from across Wiltshire.
Six names were chosen by local schools, they include:
- Nitty Gritty, by Greentrees Primary School, Salisbury
- Frosty the Gritter, by Sambourne School, Warminster
- Snowhenge, by Wellington Eagles Primary School, Ludgershall
- True Grit, by Holy Trinity Primary, Great Cheverell
- Brad Grit, by Hindon Primary School, Hindon, Salisbury
- Woodford's Winter Warrior, by Woodford Valley Primary, Middle Woodford
The remaining 18 were whittled down from more than 300 names suggested by residents which were then taken to the public vote:
- Grit Me Baby One More Time
- Gritty Gritty Bang Bang
- Sir David Attenbrrrr
- Gritty Rascal
- Buzz Saltyear
- Licensed to Grit
- Moonraker
- Snowood House
- Wiltshire Born and Spread
- Saul T Roads
- Ready Spready Go
- Thaw Enforcement
- Grit Happens
- Grittersaurus
- Anneka Ice
- Arnold Schwarzegritter
- Usain Salt
- Spready Mercury
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel