Gold gritter to be on show at winter safety event

01 November 2019

A gold-coloured gritter and a newly-named city gritter are to be the stars of the show during a winter safety event in Aberdeen city centre on Saturday 9 November.

The vehicles are part of the Aberdeen City Council-organised initiative where people and families can get up close to the vehicles, learn about how to keep safe this winter, and how the local authority prioritises gritting routes.

There will be information on vehicle winter safety, gritting routes around the city, how roads and pavements are prioritised for gritting, the one-tonne community salt bags scheme, and the big community salt bins.

There will be handy gifts including ice scrapers and tyre gauges to encourage motorists to be prepared for driving in winter conditions.

An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “Winter can be a difficult time for people, whether it’s getting around or remembering to ensure they are prepared for adverse weather conditions.

“We want to show folk what they can do to help themselves, and what free advice they can get which may assist in getting winter-ready.

“This event means that folk can get up close to a gritter as they might not see them in the mornings before they go to work or school - early morning gritting starts at 4.45am, so most of the vehicles are back at the depot before people leave their homes.

“Everyone is welcome to come along, see the vehicles up close and find out information which can help them plan for a safer and more prepared winter.”

The event is being held on the pedestrian area on Union Street outside Marks and Spencer’s from 9am to approximately 3pm, and all are welcome to stop and chat with the gritter drivers and roads maintenance staff. The gold-coloured gritter will be at the event courtesy of Econ Engineering, which is touring with the special edition vehicle as part of its 50th anniversary.