Leading public services provider Amey Plc, which works with Hampshire County Council to deliver highways and winter maintenance services, has “crowned” one of its gritting vehicles Prince after a competition to name the vehicle was won by 3 year old Harry from Kingsmead Nursery in Chandlers Ford , Hampshire.
A competition took place amongst the children at the nursery to come up with a suitable name for the gritter. The winner was three year-old Harry Farnell.
Prince was officially named at a special event held at the nursery. As well as a brief talk on the winter service by Amey’s Customer Services Manager, David Fawcett, the pupils had the opportunity to have a closer look at the vehicle and discuss how the roads are kept safe in winter. Also in attendance were Highways Manager Chris Lucie and Amey apprentice Ben Kissane.
David said “It was wonderful to visit Kingsmead and meet the staff and children . I am always amazed at the names that are suggested for our gritters. Recent vehicles have been named Usain Salt , Hagrit, Rainbow Rocks, Mission Christmas and Jack de Frost. Prince now joins them in Hampshire.”
Michelle Overton , Deputy Manager at Kingsmead Nursery , added: “The children really enjoyed the visit by David , Chris and Ben.Our pupils had a great time coming up with suitable names for the gritter and it was wonderful to have Prince join us for this royal visit!”
Prince is the dedicated gritting vehicle which salts the route around the Chandlers Ford area. It is the eigth to be named of the 51 salting vehicles that Amey operates on behalf of Hampshire County Council.
Councillor Rob Humby, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council said: “Keeping Hampshire moving for everyone to go about their day to day business, whatever the weather, is a priority for us. The newly named ‘Prince’ is part of a fleet of winter vehicles out on Hampshire’s roads day and night throughout the winter, so the children from Kingsmead might see it out and about over the coming months.”
Hampshire’s highways teams are on full alert from October to the end of April, ready to deal with wintry road conditions. 51 salting vehicles and snow ploughs have already been checked and are kept on stand-by, weather and road conditions are now routinely being monitored 24 hours a day seven days a week and around 3,700 roadside salt bins are available have been filled for community use.