A BOY who campaigned for improved road safety outside his school has welcomed the installation of speed warning signs.

Oliver Rhodes started a campaign in 2015 to get measures installed outside Keelham Primary School, after growing concerned about the speed of vehicles passing by.

And he upped the pressure on Bradford Council after being told safety measures were not deemed a priority because there had not been enough serious accidents.

As part of his campaign, the 12-year-old gave an impassioned speech to the Council in which he said: “My school and community is in effect being told that a life or lives must be sacrificed before something will be done. This is not acceptable.”

Now, three speed warning signs have been installed - two of which are flashing - outside the school and will operate from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

“I am happy it has happened, but one of the bad things is how long it took to get through the system and how the Council faff you around,” said Oliver, who now goes to Parkside School in Cullingworth.

He added: “I feel better because I have achieved something for the school. I can say ‘I did that’. I feel proud.”

Oliver said he wanted to be an MP when he is older, and added: “This is something I can say I did when I was just this age.”

Councillor Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton and Allerton) said: “We have worked closely with Oliver since the inception of his campaign nearly two years ago.

“I think his tenacity and determination deserve every sort of credit. If he had not pushed this forward and got the right people round the table, this simply would not have happened. It just proves what a contribution young people do make, and the value and worth of direct action.

“He is an absolute credit to Bradford and I look forward to seeing what will come next from him. We are proud to support him and it is great to see the success his determination and dogged campaigning has brought about.”

Oliver’s mum Sarah said: “Oliver is delighted. When he saw the signs he was really pleased.

“I am very proud and relieved. His dad John is proud of him as well. It has taken a 12-year-old boy to do work that adults have not been able to do.”