Suffolk County Council welcomes Kieran McSpreader, Spread Sheeran and Spready Mercury to new fleet of gritters after Suffolk Show naming contest
Kieran McSpreader, Spread Sheeran and Spready Mercury are among the new gritters which will replace the county’s existing fleet this winter.
Suffolk Highways has welcomed the 38 new vehicles to its ranks, which are equipped with all the latest technology including a digital operating system with fresh map route planning software to keep Suffolk’s roads safe and moving in the colder temperatures.
A competition to name the new gritters was launched at the Suffolk Show this year, with other winning entries including Salty, Gritty McGrit Face and Grit Britain being unveiled at a recent ceremony in Ipswich.
Ed Sheeran and Kieran McKenna were not the only Suffolk-themed names in the crowd, being joined by the likes of Lizzie Gritzzini and Grit Rhys Jones.
On the celebrity front there was space for Keanue Freeze, Lewis Caploughdie and David Attenbrrrrrr, and even an Arsenal Football Club reference with Declan Ice.
And from the worlds of popular culture, television and film, Suffolk’s roads will play host to Snowbi-Gone Kenobi, Lord Coldermort and Spread Lasso.
Paul West, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, said: “I am delighted that Suffolk Highways has welcomed 38 state-of-the-art gritters to its fleet, with the names chosen by our county’s young people likely to raise a smile when they are spotted out and about this winter.
“Although last winter season was milder than previous years, Suffolk Highways still gritted over 3,200 miles of road, roughly the distance from London to Dubai, in response to road temperatures being forecast to drop below one degree celsius on 62 occasions.”
Cllr West also heralded the dedication and commitment of the council’s winter maintenance drivers, whom he said often worked around the clock and sacrificed time with loved ones to ensure our county’s roads are safe to use.
However, he added motorists still needed to play their part by driving to the conditions and preparing their vehicles for winter.
The fill list of vehicle names are:
Gritney Spears
Gritney Houston
Alexander the Grit
The Grit Gritsby
Spread Lasso
Kieran McSpreader
Grittersaurus
Gritty McGritface
Snowy
Grit Britain
Salty
Snow Patrol
Gritter Thunberg
Lizzie Gritzzini
Gritty Gritty Bang Bang
Frosty
Spready Mercury
Jon Snow
Elsa
Sleetwood Mac
Sir David Attenbrrrrrr
Keanu Freeze
Big Friendly Gritter (BFG)
Hansel and Grit-all
Ready, Spready, Go!
Lord Coldemort
Sweet Child O'Brine
Spread Sheeran
Usain Salt
Snowbi-Gone Kenobi
The Grittest Snowman
Lewis Caploughdie
Sled Zeppelin
Father Gritmas
Ice and Easy
Morgan Freezeman
Albert Brinesteine
Declan Ice
Grit Rhys Jones
