A PROMISE to improve road safety close to a campaigning schoolboy's home could come to fruition before the end of the year.

Last October, Oliver Mills asked the county council to paint 30mph signs along St Peter's Drive because he was so fed up with angry drivers beeping their horns at him and almost knocking him off his bike.

The council agreed, and Oliver, then just 14, received a letter of congratulations from city MP Mike Foster.

But six months later, nothing had been done, and his proud mum Sally spoke out about her disappointment in the Evening News.

Now, following the story, the county council has pledged to carry out the work and promised it would be completed before the winter.

Tom Comerford, senior engineer for traffic management and transport at the Transportation Partnership, said surfacing work was not usually carried out between November and April.

The St Peter's job had to be incorporated into another works order for speed limits along roads across the city.

"There was one objection to a part of the order for a speed limit proposal on the Ombersley Road," he said.

"We had to overcome that objection and, because St Peter's Drive was part of the same order, work was delayed."

He said red thermoplastic paint had been earmarked for use on St Peter's Drive and revealed the signs should be in place before the winter.

"The paint has to have skid-resistant qualities," said Mr Comerford.

"If speed limit orders on the other areas are further delayed, we will order the work on St Peter's Drive to be carried out at a separate cost.

"We will carry out the work as soon as possible."

Oliver's father, Craig Mills, said he had spoken to Mr Comerford and was aware of the reasons for the delays.

His wife added she was pleased progress was being made, but was sceptical the signs would slow traffic down.