BBC Radio Cumbria’s breakfast show presenter Mike Zeller was deeply touched and flattered when Cumberland Council named one of its gritters in his honor. The yellow truck, proudly emblazoned with the name “Mike Zeller Ice Dispeller,” will be part of the council’s 20-strong fleet spreading salt on the roads during the winter months.
The unique name came as part of a public competition organized by the council to name five of its gritters. The name, along with others such as Gritter Spitter, Control Salt Delete, Luke Grittler, and La’al Salty, will remain on the gritters for the next four years. The competition generated over 100 name submissions, showcasing the community’s creativity and engagement.
Expressing his gratitude, Mike said, “I was utterly flattered and taken aback. It was lovely, I am genuinely touched by it, and my family are as well.” Mike added that the recognition stemmed from the strong bond his show had built while sharing winter safety messages with listeners.
The announcement took place outside the BBC Radio Cumbria offices, with “Mike Zeller Ice Dispeller” standing tall as a symbol of appreciation. The council’s assistant director of transport, Karl Melville, highlighted the hard work of the gritting teams, saying, “These amazing people go out there day in, day out, regardless of the forecast, to make our roads safe.”
Councillor Denise Rollo, who helped pick the winning names, expressed her delight at the overwhelming participation. “It’s been absolutely amazing the amount of names we had coming in – there’s been some really good ones, so it was fairly tough choosing winners,” she shared.
The initiative not only brought smiles to the community but also highlighted the vital work of gritting teams in ensuring road safety, especially during harsh winter conditions.
