Thursday 28 April 2016

Hyde Heath Brownies’ brilliant donut design shows true grit

If you went down to the Transport for Buckinghamshire Amersham Depot this week, you may have thought the workforce looked a bit younger than usual...  All kitted out in hi-vis jackets and hard hats, the Hyde Heath Brownies – whose ages range from seven to ten – arrived at the depot on Monday evening, ready to get stuck into learning all about winter gritting. The girls were the winners of TfB’s winter competition to design a mascot for the gritter fleet. Their winning design, the Frozen Donut, was a key part of TfB’s winter campaign for safety on the roads as we reminded the public: DO-NUT Get Caught out this Winter! 
Daisy and Lily with their winning design 

The competition was open to Brownie and Scout groups across Buckinghamshire, and the entries came in thick and fast last December. To thank them for their brilliant design, devised by Daisy and Lily aged 8, the whole Brownie group was invited to name one of two new gritters introduced to the TfB fleet for winter 2015-16, and to come and look around their local depot. Every Brownie got the chance to climb up into their gritter, ‘Salty Snowflake’, and learn about how the gritters work from one of the drivers.

The Hyde Heath Brownies with their winning design, Councillor Mark Shaw, and Brown Owl Shanta Gillott


During their visit the Brownies also learnt about why the winter competition was important in helping TfB spread the winter safety message, and keeping the public up-to-date about gritting runs. They were pleased to hear about the wide-reaching appeal their lovely design had, and were awarded with winners’ stickers displaying the donut, as well as a handout explaining what we did with the Frozen Donut, and why. Shanta Gillott, the group’s Brown Owl thanked the team for giving up their time, to give the Brownies a ‘once in a lifetime experience’. Transport Cabinet member Mark Shaw came along to join in the fun on Monday as well, and afterwards emphasized the importance of including children in winter road safety education:

‘It was fun to meet such a creative group of local children, and involve them in our work to keep people safe on Buckinghamshire’s roads, especially in winter when they are more hazardous. Everyone loved the Frozen Donut, and it really helped us in spreading a memorable winter message which was charming and informative in equal measure. Well done to all involved.’

The Frozen Donut will continue spreading the winter safety message next winter, so look out for his happy face on the sides of gritters when we roll them out again later in the year. The Frozen Donut’s advice can be found on the Transport for Buckinghamshire winter blog, tfbsalting.blogspot.co.uk. 

The girls named their gritter Salty Snowflake

Friday 8 April 2016

Friarage Road back in bloom

Following communication between Transport for Buckinghamshire and Aylesbury Town Council, the Council has offered to replant the central reserve on Friarage Road, and maintain it henceforth to a high standard. The reserve, which adds much value to Aylesbury’s submission to Britain in Bloom, has been planted with all sorts of vegetation and requires frequent care and attention to keep it looking its best. TfB, unfortunately, cannot dedicate the necessary resources to maintaining the reserve, and is very grateful to Aylesbury Town Council for their support in improving the appearance, and managing the future maintenance, of this part of the highway.

The work will commence week beginning 11th April and will be completed that week.


To undertake the work off-side lane closures are required during the off-peak daytime.