15/06/2022 - Permalink

Shropshire schoolchildren asked to name county’s pothole-busting lorries

Related topics: Highways, transport and environmental maintenance / Partner organisations
A roamaster repairing a road

The Roadmaster in action near the village of Mardu, south Shropshire

Shropshire’s schoolchildren are being asked to help name the two special Roadmaster lorries that help tackle potholes on Shropshire’s rural roads in the spring and summer.

Originally named Harry Pothole and Fiil.I.Am back in 2019, Shropshire Council and its highways contractor Kier have decided that the time is right to find new names for them.

All suggested names should be emailed to communications@shropshire.gov.uk by 5pm on Tuesday 28 June, before the best two are chosen and given to the Roadmasters.

Entrants must be aged 16 or under, and all entries should give the child’s name and age. Teachers can also submit entries on behalf of their class or school.

This year the two Roadmasters have been out and about across the county since the start of April helping to keep roads safe.

See a Roadmaster in action in this short video

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways, said:

“We first invited local youngsters to suggest names for our Roadmasters three years ago and had a really good response. We think the time is right to run the contest again and give children another chance to think of some good names for the two vehicles.

“So, we’re asking children across the county to put on their thinking caps, and send us their suggestions. We’ll then choose our two favourites, and will be sure to ask the drivers of the Roadmasters which names they like the best. I’m really looking forward to seeing what names are put forward.

“We all hate potholes which is why we work really hard to treat them and make our roads safe. The Roadmasters make a huge difference and help us to repair potholes quickly, and to a much better standard.”

Roadmasters use compressed air to blow water or dirt out of a pothole that needs repairing and then fill it with hot bitumen and chippings. The repair is compacted by a roller and sealed with a layer of surface dressing – meaning a better quality of repair.