Your names chosen for our gritting fleet

06 March 2023

North Northamptonshire Council is set to give their fleet of gritters amusing names suggested by residents and school classes.

On the frontline of the winter service is the fleet of gritters that operates out of Wellingborough with the gritting season running from October until mid-April.

Since October last year, the Kier Highways fleet has been out 39 times, treating 821 miles of roads every time, to keep them open and safe for all. 

The fleet has been updated with new vehicles that are powered by sustainably sourced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which reduces the carbon produced from combustion engines by up to 90%. They also have new technology to ensure routes are treated on time and that salt is used where it is needed most, reducing costs.

Gritting to keep our network open is a serious business, but, the dedicated winter team want to bring a smile to peoples’ faces and what better way than naming their gritters?

These new vehicles have been nameless for the last few months, so it is about time they were named. I am particularly pleased to see many schools enter and we have chosen as many of them as possible.Cllr Graham Lawman, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets

Run throughout January, the online competition has attracted hundreds of suggestions. From March, the fleet of 10 vehicles will have names suggested by residents and school classes from across North Northants. 

We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who got involved and sent in their funny, imaginative and just plain odd names. It was such a hard decision but we’re delighted that the fleet will no longer be nameless.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

The names have been chosen by the winter team who had a lively debate on what names should appear on their vehicles. Winners will be welcomed to see their named gritters, once announced.

It’s great to see the response from local schools. Entries never fail to raise a smile, and we’re delighted with our newly-named line-up.

As we enter what could be a ‘freezing March’, our gritters will be out in full force. Our experienced drivers work around the clock to keep North Northamptonshire’s roads safe. 

What people don’t necessarily see, is how much of our winter preparation takes place all-year-round. It’s great that young people receive a glimpse of that through this competition and are joining us in this mission, in some small part!John Coombes, general manager at Kier Highways

Gritting routes can be viewed online. 

Gritter names 2023

• True Grit
• Grumpy Gritter
• Salty
• Jolly Gritter
• Salt of the Earth
• Sir Grit a Lot
• Ice Knight
• Wicky Gritty
• Thaw Patrol
• Blizzard Wizzard

People can keep up to date with highways and travel news for North Northamptonshire Council highways on Twitter and Facebook via @NNCHighways.