Staffordshire’s highways leader is spreading the word to children across the county that they can help to name a new gritting fleet as it prepares to hit the streets this winter.
Eleven new gritters are operating from the county council’s highways depot at Gailey. Now residents are being invited to follow the lead of the first named gritter – Gritizen Kane – after the England men’s football team captain and Ballon d’Or winner, but is also a nod to the classic film Citizen Kane to appeal to older and younger residents alike. It marks Staffordshire’s position as being the home of St George’s Park, the national centre of the England Football Association.
The competition started in schools and county libraries, where children have been asked to come up with a name as part of a colouring competition. It’s being extended to an online entry competition, where young people can submit their suggestions for the remaining 10 gritters via an online form: Help us name our new gritters – Fill in form
While the new gritting fleet will be operating from Gailey to cover Cannock, Lichfield and surrounding areas, the competition is open to children from across the county. Winners will have their gritter name and applied to the vehicle.
Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, said:
Our commitment to investing in highways operations means the new gritting fleet can hit the roads this winter.
By asking both young people from across the county for gritter names we can get them involved in the launch of the new fleet in a fun and creative way. It also helps raise awareness of the vital work our gritting teams do – sometimes round-the-clock – during periods of cold and icy weather.
We look forward to seeing our new gritting fleet, named and ready to roll and keep Staffordshire moving in the coming months.”
