The UK arm of the German firm is one year into its eight-year contract with the council to maintain and improve the region’s extensive road network. 

As part of its active community outreach, the HOCHTIEF team was invited to Bargeddie Primary’s recent Fun Day, where they ran a Name the Gritter competition. 

The local pupils were asked to come up with imaginative and memorable names for nine new winter service vehicles, which are part of HOCHTIEF’s recent fleet investment. 

Nine pupils each received a gift voucher for their winning entries, which included: 

• Eddie Fae Bargeddie
• Grit Away Wae Ye
• Melton John
• Gritney Clears
• Sir Clearsalot
• Grit Britain
• Chilly Connolly
• Lord Coldemort
• Gritty McGritface 

The newly named HOCHTIEF gritters will be added to North Lanarkshire Council’s Gritter Tracker web page, where residents can follow the gritters in action over the winter months. 

The activity formed part of HOCHTIEF’s ongoing support for local communities through its North Lanarkshire Schools Partnership. 

Jannis Nassoulis, Contract Manager for HOCHTIEF Operations UK & Ireland, said: “Our team had a great time at Bargeddie Primary’s Fun Day and were really impressed by the entries to name our new gritters. The imagination on show was second to none – congratulations to the winning pupils who will be also to see their gritters out keeping the roads safe this winter with some fantastic new names.” 

Mrs Logan, Principal Teacher at Bargeddie Primary School, said: “It was great having HOCHTIEF show their support at our annual Fun Day, and the children really enjoyed getting to see one of the new gritters on the day. We are especially excited that our school mascot, Eddie, will take pride of place on the new fleet.” 

Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: “Congratulations to the Bargeddie Primary pupils for these fantastic names! Throughout winter our gritting crews are ready to treat the road network when surface temperatures are expected to drop below freezing. They’re often out overnight to keep roads clear for the morning rush hour and, if it remains cold, they treat them again in the afternoon. 

"With our partner, HOCHTIEF, our roads team work to keep roads and pavements clear for residents and businesses to get to work, school and local services during severe weather.”