Delighted pupil wins bike voucher after Army and Navy flyover competition

A thrilled school pupil has been announced the winner of a competition launched to coincide with the historic removal of the Army and Navy flyover earlier this year.

Essex County Council gave primary school children in Chelmsford the chance to win a prize for them and their school by guessing the weight of the well-known structure, which was a feature of the city’s skyline for more than 40 years.

Winner Dougie Arben was among 140 children from more than a dozen different schools who entered the competition.

After correctly guessing the 417-tonne weight from four options and being drawn as the winner, the eight-year-old was given a £75 voucher for Evans Cycles, which is located just off the Army and Navy roundabout and kindly donated the prize.

Dougie's school, Meadgate Primary School, will also receive a scooter storage pod, helping encourage active travel to and from the school.

The removal of the flyover, which was completed in April, was a crucial step in a new era for transport in the city, with work continuing to develop the right long-term solution for the junction.

Dougie said: “I was very pleased to win the competition and to have got the answer right. I didn’t expect to win.

“I have used the voucher to buy a new cycle helmet and some cycling accessories.

“I am really excited to see the scooter pod at school when we return.” 

Stop. Swap. GO! is an exciting new campaign launched last week which uses incentives to drive behaviour change and increase sustainable travel use throughout the county. Residents across Essex will be able to share their own tips and stories on social media and encourage their peers to take part in a 60 Day Challenge.