Gritter Titter... Your chance to use your wit to name Rotherham’s snow clearers

The Advertiser has teamed up with Rotherham Council to allow readers to choose what the authority’s ten gritters are called.

The wintry start to 2021 has meant plenty of action already for the vehicles, which were dispatched on Monday night and Tuesday morning.

And while we hope not to see them too often, the gritters will soon be sporting names suggested by you.

There is plenty of scope to be creative — with ideas perhaps inspired by the weather or Rotherham’s landmarks or history. It’s up to you.

Examples of the Scottish gritter names — which went viral in December — include For Your Ice Only, Gritney Spears, Gritty Gritty Bang Bang, I Want To Break Freeze, Lew-Ice Capaldi and Licence To Chill.

Cllr Emma Hoddinott, RMBC cabinet member for waste, roads and community safety, said: “It’s a great idea to name the gritters.

“People will see them out and about and this will make them a bit more identifiable.

“We’re hoping for some really good suggestions, maybe some funny ones, or ones referring to our borough.

“I’m really interested to see what people can come up with.”

She added: “We’ve had a busy winter so far after being lucky with a few mild ones. This year has started with a lot of snow but the salt barn people will have seen at Hellaby is well-stocked.”

Advertiser editor Andrew Mosley said: “People love to see the gritters out and about making the roads safe and it’s great to be able to team up with Rotherham Council and our readers to give them names and add some personality to the fleet.

“The Scottish names are really inventive, but I’m sure Rotherham folk can come up with ideas  equally as clever if not better, and we look forward to receiving as many suggestions as possible.”

* Send your suggestions by email to newsdesk@rotherhamadvertiser or write to Rotherham Advertiser, 2a Upper Millgate, Rotherham S60 1PF (marking your entry Gritter Names), or comment on our social media posts.