Blackburn with Darwen Council names gritter Graham & Leanne’s ‘Grit on the Side’ after Radio Lancashire podcast 

Blackburn with Darwen Council has named one of its gritters “Graham & Leanne’s Grit on the Side”, following a call on BBC Radio Lancashire to name a vehicle after the popular Bit on the Side podcast. 

The idea came after hearing a discussion on Radio Lancashire inviting local authorities to name a gritter after the show. With two unnamed gritters in the council’s winter fleet, the authority stepped forward to support the idea. 

Cllr Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: 

We heard Radio Lancashire’s call to name a gritter after Graham and Leanne’s podcast, and as a Blackburn-based council we were delighted to step forward and support it. It’s a light-hearted idea, but one that really captures local, Lancashire humour and community spirit.  

The council already has a tradition of creatively named gritters, including Alan Clearer and Grit Sutton, inspired by former Blackburn Rovers players. 

Cllr Riley added:

While the name is fun, the job is serious. Our gritters play a vital role in keeping roads safe and the borough moving during winter. If naming a gritter helps people notice the work that goes into keeping roads safe, then it’s absolutely worth doing. 

The council has confirmed there is still another unnamed gritter and is encouraging residents and Radio Lancashire listeners to submit ideas. You can send ideas here: https://bit.ly/grithappens 

BBC Radio Lancashire presenter, Graham Liver said this morning:

This is the biggest news of the day!

Graham & Leanne’s Grit on the Side will be deployed as required during winter weather conditions as part of the council’s ongoing gritting programme.