'Superheroes' to the rescue: South Glocs Council deploy nine new gritters
The new machines have been named by local schoolchildren from across the region - and have been ready to go since Friday
We've all heard of how the world-famous HMS David Attenborough polar research ship got its name - well, thanks to a competition launched by South Gloucestershire Council, there are nine new 'superheroes' set to traverse the region's roads this winter.
New for 2022, the local authority is now all set to launch the gritters as part of a £1 million investment to keep roads safe and traffic moving across the district as the colder nights draw in.
They say the new fleet uses 20 per cent less salt than older models by using technology which can be set to spread a more precise measurement to suit the road conditions.
This makes them much more efficient and minimises their carbon footprint when gritting the main A and B roads, as well as routes to schools, care providers, fire, ambulance and police stations. when ice is predicted.
The new gritters
The brand-new gritters have been handed brand-new names - all thanks to a competition ran with local school children ran earlier in the year.
Following the competition, the names were selected by Council officers from more than 100 entries:
- Mr Thaw - Scarlett, St John's Mead School, Chipping Sodbury
- Super Salter - Daisy, Wheatfield School, Bradley Stoke
- Sir Grittalot - Isabelle, Wheatfield School, Bradley Stoke
- Sponge Bob Grit Pants - Cody, St Mary's Primary School, Yate
- The Grittiest Showman - Harry, St Mary's Primary School, Yate
- Walter the Salting Machine - Lucas, Christ the King School, Thornbury
- The Salty Warrior - Ben, Christ the King School, Thornbury
- Guardian Gritter - Harry, Christ the King School, Thornbury
- Knight in Salty Armour - Year 6, Christ the King School, Thornbury
Regularly, around 30 per cent of the region's roads are gritted when ice is forecast.
Five thousand tonnes of salt is stored at the council depot at Broad Lane in Yate, so South Gloucestershire Council say they are well-prepared for winter.
The council also spreads salt manually on key town centre pedestrian areas and uses a small spreader mounted on a tractor to treat some of the busier sections of cycle routes.
Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member responsible for transport at South Gloucestershire Council said: “Ensuring our roads are safe is a top priority for the council and we treat 510 kilometres of roads every night during periods of cold weather to keep people safe and traffic moving.
"We are delighted that these new, efficient gritters are ready for the winter months as they require much less salt in comparison with the old fleet.
"This means we can make our supplies go further this winter as well as delivering value for money services for our residents, so it really is about investing our resources wisely to be as efficient as possible.
“I’d like to thank all of the school children who entered the competition to name the gritters and congratulate the winners, there are some very imaginative titles!
"The new gritters are highly visible with their new reflective decals, so you may see ‘Mr Thaw’ or ‘Walter the Salting Machine’ out on our roads during the upcoming winter months.”
Vehicles, drivers and staff are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the winter months, to keep schools open, businesses running and emergency services on the road. Winter arrangements begin in late October and run until 31 March each year, although this period can be extended depending on weather conditions.
You can find out more about the local authority's gritting plan here.