A Durham County Council gritter driver has been crowned the first ever Gritter Driver of the Year, under a new initiative from Econ Engineering designed to boost public recognition of our 'winter heroes'.

Gary Lawson, a 62-year-old gritter driver from Crook, was nominated for the award by four of his managers who highlighted his ‘professionalism, community spirit and technical know-how'.

With colleagues referring to Mr Lawson as ‘the AA' of the gritter world due to his ‘unrivalled knowledge of the vehicles and problem-solving abilities', he was also commended for his dedication to helping ‘the younger generation' of drivers.

As a qualified winter maintenance assessor, Mr Lawson has mentored new winter maintenance operatives and dedicated time to represent the industry at events and in schools – he also played a key role in a children's naming competition for the council's new snow blower, now dubbed ‘Blizzard'.

Mr Lawson commented: ‘There's been many a Christmas morning when my wife, son and now grandchildren have held off opening presents until I get back from work. It's not easy, but my family is incredibly supportive of my job and understand that it's something I've just got to do. I've also been known to abandon my shopping basket in the Coop when I'm on call. When the weather turns, it's about getting to the yard as quickly as you can.

‘On another occasion, I got a call from my manager on April Fool's Day, asking me to go and rescue three abandoned cars on the Teasdale border. Obviously, I thought he was joking but sure enough, the weather had changed and I ended up with a cab full of stranded drivers and passengers. There's no rule book for every eventuality that we come across, which is why I'm so passionate about passing on my experience to the younger drivers. Honestly, I've seen it all and sometimes, our experiences make Ice Road Truckers look like toddlers!'

Econ chose to launch the Grit & Glory Awards after research showed that the public ‘significantly underestimates' the role gritter drivers play in keeping the UK on the road during winter, with a study finding that less than one in ten people recognise gritter drivers as ‘winter heroes'.

Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ, said: ‘Reading every one of the entries to the Gritter Driver of the Year competition was incredibly heart-warming, but Gary's really stood out to the judges. His kindness, commitment and dedication to his community and our industry really came across. He's never been late in 40 years of service, he's rescued people, livestock and emergency vehicles in freezing temperatures and at unsociable hours. He really is a role model.

‘The judges particularly enjoyed reading that Gary can "manoeuvre his Econ gritter in ways others would never attempt." It takes an incredible amount of skill to handle the vehicles, often in dangerous conditions, and people like Gary are fundamental to the future of the industry.'

Mr Lawson was named as the North of England Gritter Driver of the Year, with winners also being recognised in the South of England (Mark Hazle), Wales (Fraser McLennan Topping) and Scotland (Cheyenna Macdonald Cameron).

Mr Lawson was then chosen by the judges as the overall winner for 2026.

Mr Lawson added: ‘It's such an honour to receive this award, especially in this, my 40th winter on the roads. I've seen a lot of change over the years, with my first job on the gritter being as a "second man", hand pumping the snow plough up and down. What keeps me motivated is my dedication to keeping my local community safe. My route is very close to where I live, so when I've completed a shift, I go home knowing that my family and friends will be safe. Knowing that I've made a difference means everything. I hope to keep working in winter maintenance for many more years to come.'

Mr Lupton continued: ‘Getting up in the middle of the night and going to work in all weathers and over the festive period, it's only fitting that these hardworking individuals get the recognition that they deserve.'