FOLLOWING on from Gritty Gritty Bang Bang and Spready Mercury – young people are once again being asked to name new Somerset gritters.

Two new vehicles are joining the Kier fleet in the county, and need names as the firm gears up for the cold winter months.

Last year, Brymore Academy (Gritty Gritty Bang Bang) and West Pennard Primary School (Spready Mercury) named the vehicles.

And now, schools have until November 7 to put their suggestions forward, when they will be judged by Somerset Council and Kier, with a shortlist then going for public vote.

READ MORE: Gritty Gritty Bang Bang meets the pupils who named it!
READ MORE: Somerset gritter Spready Mercury visits pupils who gave it a name

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council lead member for transport and digital, said: “Last year’s entries were brilliant with some inventive pun-tastic ideas.

“It’s a great way for local children to get involved in naming the road gritters and learn more about road safety in the winter. I can’t wait to see the creative names the children come up with and see some new gritters on the road this winter.”

Tom Stockley, operations manager with Kier Transportation, added: “We’re looking forward to running this competition again this year. It’s great for the pupils to get involved, and understand more about our challenges during the winter months.

“Gritting is important as it helps keep roads safe and reduces weather-related disruptions, whether you’re heading to school, work, or appointments.

“Road gritting involves spreading rock salt on roads to prevent ice and snow build-up, giving car tyres better grip. With temperatures falling, gritting teams will soon be undergoing trial runs – and will grit the roads when the weather is set to fall below 0.5 degrees.”

Spready Mercury stopped off at West Pennard CofE Primary School. Picture: Somerset Council