Kids' chance to name new fleet of gritters

Barnsley Council said they had have asked schools to get their “thinking caps on” and come up with the best seasonal names they can for the new winter weather vehicles.

The winners will have their chosen names written on the new gritters as well as the name of the winning school.

North Lincolnshire Council ran a similar poll last year to name its new gritter with “Jake Grittenden” coming out on top after the celebrity known from the X-Factor and Dancing on Ice.

BMBC said the new gritters would be “cleaner and more sustainable” to meet the latest emissions standard — along with “learning gritting routes to optimise salt spreading”.

The competition closes on Monday, after which a judging panel will select the “most creative entries”.

Cllr James Higginbottom, Cabinet spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said: “Our 12 new gritters will help us to keep Barnsley moving this winter.

“They will be highly visible on the roads across the borough, and we want to get as many young people as possible involved by naming them.

“Good luck to all the schools who are entering the competition.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how creative you’ve all been.”