Renfrewshire’s newly-named gritters are on the web, as well as the road, this year as part of a drive to highlight the dedicated work of council staff.

The community can now track the whereabouts of the gritters on the council’s website as they tackle priority routes on a 24/7 schedule throughout the winter period.

Sean Batty

All nine of Renfrewshire’s gritters have new names following a successful #NameOurGritters competition, designed to engage the local community in winter preparedness – part of the annual #RenReady campaign.

Ploughlo Grittini, Tony Gritzpatrick, Gerry Raffersleigh and William Wall-ice were famous faces from Renfrewshire chosen as winners, with local places Fridge of Weir, Gleniffer Brrraes and Paisleigh also making the cut, alongside Buddie Baltic.

STV weatherman Sean Batty also has his very own gritter namesake, Thawin’ Batty, and he’s looking forward to finding out where he is throughout the winter.

Sean said: “As a weatherman, it is definitely one of the most interesting times of year but also very challenging. This winter, I have the additional excitement of watching out for Thawin Batty on the roads across Renfrewshire, and with the online tracker that will be even easier.

“We’ll need to wait and see what Mother Nature has in store for us and whether it’ll turn cold and icy or stay a more mild, wet and windy winter.

“Whatever the weather holds, I’ll be thinking too about our road workers who’ll be keeping us safe.”

The competition saw more than 1600 suggestions submitted and more than 8000 votes cast as the nine winners were chosen to patrol Renfrewshire’s streets this winter.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “We prepare months in advance of winter arriving and our teams have been working hard  for months now to keep the roads clear and gritted as best we can.

“Our winter teams work throughout the night and I’m pleased that the community will be able to see our gritting teams out working in all conditions.

“The added bonus of those familiar Renfrewshire names will help keep people interested and I would encourage everyone to check our website for information on how to be prepared for all eventualities this winter.”

Each gritter is fitted with a tracking device and people will be able to follow them as they clear snow and grit the roads in advance of, and during, freezing conditions.

For more information on winter preparedness and to follow the gritters, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/readyforwinter.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X