Professor David Begg, Chair of the Commission for Integrated Transport, judged the competition and selected our two winners from almost 800 entries.

Under 16 category

11-year-old Vikki Dowthwaite from Preston won this category, she wins a bicycle and safety helmet.

Professor Begg said: "Vikki called her idea a 'Count-O-Gram' and it focused around using technology to limit the number of cars in towns.

Discussing the entries

"I was very impressed with this entry. Whilst we could not implement the exact scheme described by Vikki, she is right to focus on technological solutions. This idea is certainly a feasible and effective solution if combined with more advanced technology such as satellite systems, which are in fact being developed as we speak.

"Although it was very difficult to choose just one winner from all the entries, Vikki's idea was based on educating people about congestion.

"She also took on board that you cannot just build more roads and improve public transport, you must reduce the number of cars on the road."

16 years and over category winner

Overall his suggestions go much further than the government's 10-year plan

Prof Begg on James McGregor's entry

James McGregor from Edinburgh won this category with a variety of proposals designed to reduce car use by a mix of incentives and charges. He wins a trip to Paris for two.

Professor Begg said: "Most of James' suggestions would tackle congestion and it is his combination of incentives, such as free school buses, car sharing and company transport schemes, as well as targeted congestion charging that is key to making schemes work successfully in practice.

"James' option to charge cars to travel into town centres, or even ban cars altogether from the very centre of town, will certainly reduce traffic. I also think he is sending a message to local government as they already have the power to introduce these suggestions.

"Also, his ideas about replacing company car schemes with subsidised or even free public transport are very interesting.

"I particularly like these ideas because I would always put people before vehicles and I like the idea of having people-friendly cities.

"Overall his suggestions go much further than the government's 10-year plan and would see a much bigger reduction in congestion.

Prof Begg studies the entries

"However, it would be a very brave politician who would introduce James' plans, but I believe they represent a good combination of carrot and stick, that is incentives and disincentives, and would certainly dramatically reduce congestion on Britain's roads."

Competition a 'fantastic initiative'

Professor Begg added: "This 4x4 Reports competition has been a fantastic initiative and the enormous response just shows how much of a problem congestion has become and how many people are affected by this every day.

"It has been very encouraging to see such a wide range of entries that have been very difficult to judge.

"The competition has provided a rare opportunity to see members of the public constructively engage with these issues and suggest so many ways in which we can combat congestion and improve our quality of life.

"These are complex issues. It is not just about building more roads as this will simply encourage more cars to fill the new road space. Neither is it just a matter of providing more public transport, which is of course essential, but it must come in a package with car restraint measures.

"It will be very tough to tackle congestion as some of the measures will inevitable be painful, but of course there will also be benefits to many drivers.

"Well done to the winners and I hope they enjoy their respective prizes."