Help name a gritter

GET your think caps on and come up with a catchy name for one of the region's gritters.

Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, has launched its much-loved annual gritter naming appeal, inviting the public to submit creative names for the winter fleet in southwest Scotland.

Submissions can be made, until February 1, online at: https://swtrunkroads.scot/winter-service/help-name-our-gritters

Suggestions from last year’s appeal and new additions to the fleet for the 2025/2026 winter season are:“Snowasis” (Oasis); “Albert Icestein” (Albert Enstein); and “Irvine Squelch” (Irvine Welsh)

They will join classics such as “Taylor Drift”, “Sir Grits Hoy”, “Charles RennIce Mackinslush”, and “Kevin Fridges”.

Amey spokesman Roddy Clark said: “This campaign is a fun way for people to connect with the essential work our teams do to keep Scotland moving safely through the winter months.

“We’re proud to maintain the trunk road network on behalf of Transport Scotland — and this appeal helps remind everyone of the importance of safe winter driving.”

Meanwhile, the free Winter Road Alerts service has come on line again, with real-time updates on weather-related incidents on the network. An email address is all that is required to sign up for this service.