School Pupils Name Bradford Council’s Gritter Fleet

Five gritter wagons, deployed to clear snow and ice from roads over the festive season, have received names from school pupils. Bradford Council engaged schools across all five parliamentary constituencies within the district, inviting them to devise imaginative names for five of its 24-vehicle fleet. Among the chosen names are Clearopathra, a reference to the ancient Egyptian Queen, selected by pupils at Thackley Primary School in Bradford East. Meanwhile, students at Dixons Music Primary School in Bradford West opted for Glittery Ice Machine. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw extended his thanks to the children for their inventive gritter names. “I hope they’ve enjoyed taking part and finding out about our gritting operation,” he stated. Ross-Shaw further expressed his hope that if children encounter a gritter they named, they would offer the driver “a wave.” He highlighted, “They really do work hard, often working around the clock or sacrificing time with their loved ones, to ensure that our roads are gritted.” Collectively, these vehicles are responsible for gritting over 700 miles (1,126km) of roads. Additionally, students at each participating school had the opportunity to view the gritter wagons firsthand when the council’s Highways personnel brought them to the school car parks. For Co-Op Academy Southfield, the school representing Bradford South, the name Wuthering Ice was selected. This choice serves as an homage to the area’s cultural heritage, referencing Emily Bronte’s classic novel Wuthering Heights, set on the Haworth moors. Concurrently, students at Burley and Woodhead C of E Primary School, representing the Shipley constituency, chose the name Grittle Mix, drawing inspiration from the pop group Little Mix. Furthermore, Steeton Primary School, representing the Keighley and Ilkley constituency, selected the name Gritty Gritty Bang Bang, inspired by the children’s classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.