More than 50 schools receive free salt spreader for treating icy pavements

More than 50 Shropshire schools have taken up Shropshire Council’s offer of a free pedestrian salt spreader and salt, to treat icy pavements near their school during spells of wintry weather.

The first to take up the offer was Castlefields Primary in Bridgnorth, who have been using their spreader (named Spready Mercury) since last year.

Spready Mercury, the Castlefields Primary salt spreader – with Hugo who picked its name

Since the start of 2023 a further 50 schools have requested a spreader and salt. Spreaders have now been delivered to each school, with one tonne of salt also being delivered.

One of these schools is Sheriffhales Primary School. Hayley Hedge from the school said:

 “I took delivery of the salt spreader and have to say that the two guys who came were really friendly and gave me all the information on how to use the salt spreader and about delivery, use and storage of the salt. 

“Please can you pass on our thanks to the two guys who came to our school this morning and thank you to everyone involved in organising the salt spreader for us.” 

And Juliet Morgan from Onny C of E Primary School, Craven Arms, said:

“I used the grit spreader this morning – it’s really cool! Thank you very much!”

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:

“Working with schools is a great way to ensure that the approaches to each school is treated during spells of icy weather, and to help children stay safe on their way to and from school.

“We’re delighted that so many schools have now taken up the offer of a free spreader and salt.”

Any schools who would like to request a spreader or find out more can email Highwaysconsultation@shropshire.gov.uk.

Further information

The schools who have received a gritter are:

1. Castlefields Primary, Bridgnorth
2. St Giles CE Primary, Shrewsbury
3. Market Drayton Junior School
4. Onny CE Primary, Craven Arms
5. Sheriffhales Primary
6. St George’s Junior, Shrewsbury
7. Woodfield Infant School, Shrewsbury
8. St Leonard’s CE Primary, Bridgnorth
9. West Felton CE Primary School
10. Lacon Childe School, Cleobury Mortimer
11. Cleobury Mortimer Primary
12. Baschurch CE Primary
13. St Thomas and St Anne’s Primary, Hanwood, Shrewsbury
14. Bishop’s Hooper CE Primary, Ludlow
15. Bitterley CE Primary, Ludlow
16. Corvedale CE Primary, Diddlebury
17. Clunbury CE Primary
18. The Grange Primary, Shrewsbury
19. The Keystone Academy, Shrewsbury
20. Laurence CE Primary, Ludlow
21. Church Preen Primary
22. St Marys CE Primary and Nursery School, Shawbury
23. Myddle Primary
24. The Wilfred Owen School, Shrewsbury
25. Shrewsbury Academy
26. The Gables Learning Centre, Albrighton
27. Clee Hill Community Academy
28. Greenacres Primary, Shrewsbury
29. Stokesay Primary, Craven Arms
30. Market Drayton Infant and Nursery School
31. The Meadows primary, Oswestry
32. St George’s CE Academy, Craven Arms
33. Highley Community Primary
34. Brown Clee Primary, Ditton Priors
35. Long Mountain CE Primary, Worthen
36. Criftins CE Primary, Ellesmere
37. Cockshutt CE Primary, Ellesmere
38. Newtown CE Primary, Wem
39. Welshampton Primary, Nr Ellesmere
40. Bicton CE Primary and Nursery School
41. Wistanstow CE Primary, Craven Arms
42. Trinity CE Primary, Ford, Shrewsbury
43.  Stottesdon CE Primary, Cleobury Mortimer
44. Alveley Primary
45. Morda CE Primary, Oswestry
46. St Edwards CE Primary, Dorrington
47. Oxen CE Primary, Shrewsbury
48. Gobowen Primary
49. Christ Church CE Primary, Cressage
50. The Thomas Adams School, Wen
51. Barrow 1618 CE Free School, Broseley*

*Spreader due to be delivered on 15 March.