Keeping us moving on the county’s roads when the frost bites!
As autumn gives way to colder days and frosty nights, a quiet army is gearing up behind the scenes to keep Lincolnshire’s roads safe and running smoothly.
Say hello to the Grit Squad - the unsung heroes of winter who brave the cold, the dark, and the early starts to make sure we all get where we need to go.
One of those heroes is Spinnie Everton, who works out of the Horncastle depot and takes care of Route 19, and Spinnie is already making waves in her second season on the job. “I kind of fell into it after working with my dad in his road surfacing business,” she said. “Last year was my first season and I absolutely loved it. Now I’m even supervising!”
Spinnie holds a HGV Class 1 licence and encourages anyone with at least a Class 2 to consider joining the team.
“It’s more than just a job - we’re helping kids get to school, helping people get to work. Every run feels like we’re doing a good deed.”
Spinnie Everton loves her role as part of the gritting team
How the gritting magic happens
Lincolnshire County Council and contractor Balfour Beatty team up to run the county’s winter road safety operation. With 47 gritters, 88 drivers, 43 routes, 8 depots and an ever-changing weather picture, it can be a full-on logistical battle.
Before the season kicks off (October 1 to April 30), the team holds a pre-season warm-up known as ‘Rally Day’. Darrell Redford, LCC’s network resilience manager, explains:
“We check every gritter for defects, kit them out, and send drivers out on dry runs to get reacquainted with their routes.”
And yes - those gritters are serious machines. Each one costs around £150,000, lasts 12 to 15 years, and can travel up to 4,400 kilometres on a full run. The Horncastle depot alone stores a whopping 5,500 tonnes of grit!
Have a little patience
Ever been stuck behind a gritter and felt the urge to zoom past? Hold that thought. When salting, gritters are capped at 35mph and for good reason. They’re spraying salt across the road to prevent ice, and overtaking or driving too closely can be hazardous.
So next time you spot those flashing beacons, give the ‘Grit Squad’ a wave and a bit of space. They’re out there making sure your journey is safe, whatever the weather throws at us.
REMEMBER! Our gritting team do a great job but not all roads in the county are treated. Even if they are, you should still drive to the road and weather conditions.
Find out more about winter road management, including gritter routes.