Amey South-West Trunk Roads gritter-naming contest returns

With more than 6000 names submitted by the public in previous years, new additions to the fleet for the upcoming 2023/2024 winter season are expected to join notable names such as "Sir Grits Hoy", "Yes Sir, Ice Can Boogie", "Skid Vicious", and "Sweet Child O’ Brine".

Participants can submit names for gritters online through a page on Amey's website at http://tinyurl.com/3jrb8hd8.

The 2022 competition winners include humorous monikers such as "Kevin Fridges", "Stone Cold Steve Frostin", "Keanu Freeze", "Polar Abdul", "Taylor Drift", "Sleeter Andre" and "Skate Bush".

Scotland's unique gritter names have not only become a social media sensation but have also attracted global attention.

In December 2020, Amey's bright orange fleet caught the eye of Scottish beverage brand IRN-BRU, which named a gritter "Grits You Thru".

In 2021, family-run bakery Tunnock's joined the trend by naming another gritter "Caramelt Wafer".

Reveals of the chosen gritter names will be posted on the @SWTRUNKROADS Twitter and Facebook pages, and updates will also be live on the Traffic Scotland Gritter Tracker.

To prepare for this winter, Amey has collected 21,000 tonnes of road salt, 231,000 litres of brine, and 50,000 litres of potassium acetate at the ready.

The Winter Service will be managed 24/7 by a team of 10 Winter Service Duty Officers.

Operations will be supported by the 17,500-tonne capacity salt barn that was established at the Polmadie Depot in 2021.

The South-West Winter Service comprises 27 Frontline Routes, 15 Patrol Routes, and 12 Footway Routes.

Tasked with providing winter treatment across 197km, the service will be delivered by 56 Econ gritters and snowploughs, 16 footpath gritters, and 115 Highways Operatives.

These vehicles will be fitted with the latest mobile condition monitoring equipment and dash cams.

Furthermore, a liquid brine solution will be used on all roads and footpaths for improved ice and snow clearance.