A BROMSGROVE school boy has created the winning design for a sign to mark out new walking and cycling routes being constructed in Bromsgrove.

Oliver Simms from Meadows First School came top in the competition which launched last year.

Children were called to design a sign around the benefits of travelling by foot, bike or scooter, such as reducing carbon emissions, getting more exercise and aiding concentration.

The county council received around 1,400 entries for the competition from Finstall First School, Meadows First School, St Johns Church of England Middle School, Millfields First School and Charford First School.

The finalists’ designs were then submitted to a judging panel, who had the task of selecting the overall winner.

Councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure, said: “We’ve had some really creative designs submitted to us during the competition, and every designer really did themselves and their school proud.

The new signs will make the routes much clearer to view and follow, and will hopefully encourage people to get out and about in Bromsgrove without using the car. Their creation is a good indicator that the scheme to improve walking and cycling in Bromsgrove is progressing well.”

Each school will receive prizes to encourage students to walk, cycle or scoot to school more easily and safely.

Oliver will also receive £300 worth of bike vouchers and his school will win even more active-travel related prizes.

His design is now being made into a prototype by sign manufacturers and will feature around 50 times throughout the new Cycle & Walk routes.

The walking and cycling routes being created in Bromsgrove aim to improve connectivity and travel options around the town.

It’s part of the overall £3.4million walking and cycling National Productivity Investment Fund scheme for the area, which is being funded by the Department for Transport.

The scheme aims to make the transport network in Bromsgrove more efficient, particularly at peak travel times, helping to reduce the levels of congestion.