Inverness BID introduces a quirky mini gritter to enhance city centre safety and cleanliness
Shoppers might have spotted this little machine around town lately. It’s part of a project by the local business improvement district, or BID for short. They decided to take matters into their own hands after getting a quote of over £22,000 for just three days of work from a contractor. Yikes!
So, they teamed up with the Inverness Common Good Fund to kick off the Smart Scape scheme. Even though the funding has dried up, BID is keeping the project alive at a smaller scale. They’re focusing on cleaning up the city, like removing graffiti and power washing those tricky spots that often get overlooked.
The name for the mini gritter came from a public contest, and Aimee MacMillan’s suggestion won. It’s a catchy name that really stands out!
This initiative isn’t meant to replace the council’s gritting efforts. It’s more of a backup plan, especially after a woman had a bad fall in Falcon Square. Now, businesses in the area can call BID to request the service when needed.
A BID spokesperson mentioned that Smart Scape is a legacy project. They want to keep the city centre safe and tidy, and the businesses appreciate the help. They’re also looking into targeted gritting as a temporary fix for icy spots.
Everyone’s excited about the new mini gritter, and they hope it’ll be out and about soon, ready to tackle the winter weather. Sounds like a great way to keep Inverness safe and clean!