November 15, 2011 10.30 am This story is over 155 months old

New bishop to bless county gritters

Holy grit: Bishop shows appreciation for winter road maintenance as he prepares for the annual blessing of the gritters.

City gritters will be blessed by the Bishop of Lincoln on Wednesday, November 16 at the Sturton by Stow depot.

The ceremony is an annual occurrence and the new Bishop of Lincoln, Right Reverend Christopher Lowson, sees it as an opportunity to remember the significance of the work carried out by gritting teams.

Lowson said: “We are enormously grateful for the hard work of those who salt the roads in all hours and in all weathers.

“This is an opportunity to pray for them in their work, and to remember the responsibility we all have to drive responsibly.”

Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership are also urging motorists to drive safely this winter.

Executive Member for Highways and Transport, Councillor William Webb, explained how dedicated drivers brave the worst weather conditions imaginable to make a difference on the roads, but drivers must do their part to keep safe.

Webb said: “Although we salt around a third of our roads as a priority, motorists should always drive to the conditions and remember that there will be occasions when salt may not be effective – it can help, but it is not a cure.”

Lincolnshire County Council has first sent out the gritters in late October.

As previously reported, a cargo ship brought a load of 20,000 tonnes of salt all the way from Egypt to Immingham Docks in September.

There are eight salt depots around Lincolnshire, in Willingham Woods, Sturton by Stow, Manby, Horncastle, Pode Hole, Boston Chainbridge, Thurlby and Ancaster.