BEAR Scotland gritters have been out and about over the weekend helping to keep the Borders trunk roads safe.
And although it’s obviously a serious business driving in snow and icy conditions, and concentration is important, the names painted on the side of their vehicles might give you a chuckle.
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Since around 2017 Scotland’s leading road maintenance and management firm has been adding hilarious names to their gritters, many after famous Scots such as Andy McFlurry, Snow Connery, Lew-Ice Capaldi and The Snowclaimers.
Many were chosen by local primary school pupils or competition winners.
And here in the Borders we have one named My Name’5 Doddie Foundation after the late Doddie Weir and Sir Salter Scott.
Also operating in the south east region are Basil Salty, Grit A Bit, Mega Melter,
I’m shovelin’, I Want to Break Freeze, Always Be Grit-full, Scotland’s Bravest Gritter, Blizzard BEAR, Basil Salty, Polar Patroller, Snow Dozer, Licence to Chill, Nitty Gritty, Grit-Tok, The Incredible Ice BEAR, Walter The Salter, BFG – Big Friendly Gritter and BEAR-illiant.
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The M80 DBFO is named Mrs McGritter and the A92 DBFO is named • Polar BEAR Express
The Northwest region has Mr Plow, Gritallica, Ready, Spready Go, Sled Zeppelin, and For Your Ice Only
BEAR Scotland’s 125 strong dedicated winter fleet includes: 50 large, 32-tonne eight-wheeler spreaders – some of the largest in the UK, 10 new 26-tonne six-wheeler spreaders, 22 footway spreaders, to treat pavements and clear snow from footpaths.
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Seven snow blower attachments which are fitted to our tractors and are capable of moving up to 1,300 tonnes of snow per hour and One 10,000 litre dedicated sprayer for treatment of the major bridges with liquid de-icer
To ensure plant is ready for the winter, dry runs are carried out on all precautionary treatment routes and calibration checks are undertaken on vehicles prior to 1 October.
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