The largest employer in Coventry is leading the way in ‘greening’ the way its employees travel to, from and for work.

Two departments of Coventry City Council are piloting the 'Better Ways to Work' scheme which is launched today. The Council’s Housing and Environmental Services and City Development Directorates have organised a Green Travel Fair for staff for Thursday 23 September.

The scheme aims to encourage staff to use their cars less on their regular journeys into work and home again. Employees will be encouraged to cycle or walk, travel by public transport or share lifts with other members of staff, at least occasionally. The Council hopes to encourage everyone to do their bit.

"Coventry City Council is determined to address the threats to health and economic success of congestion and pollution," explained Councillor John McNicholas, Chair of the Council’s Environment and Transportation Policy Team.

"As Coventry’s largest employer, we can help to make a real difference and I am very pleased that our staff will be encouraged to use Better Ways to Work"

The departments have set up a car-sharing scheme. Staff who register will be put in touch with others who make similar journeys at similar times each day.

"Every time someone gets a lift to work, the amount of pollution the journey causes is halved and a mostly empty car is taken off the road"

said James Russell, Assistant Director for Strategy and Planning

Financial considerations can be uppermost in anyone’s mind when they decide how to get to work. The Council has worked with bus and train companies to try to make public transport even cheaper for its employees.

"Coming to work on the bus is quick and easy and cheaper than bringing the car into town."

said Clive Townend, Head of Trading Standards and Waste Services

"these short journeys cause much more wear and tear on the car."

"Cycling to work is free," said David Lathbury, Head of Development Policy "and I can park my bike much closer to the office than I park my car."

The two departments have spent time listening to their staff and finding out what might persuade them to leave the car at home.

"We found that some people aren’t sure which buses will take them to work, others are concerned that they have to cycle along busy main roads. Other people are happy to car share but don’t know of anyone who travels the same route"

said Jan Cooke, Coventry City Council’s Sustainable Transport Officer.

"The reason for organising the Green Travel Fair was to ensure that staff had all the information they need to make travel judgements."

"This approach is about encouraging people to choose the most appropriate type transport for the journey. We certainly do not want to force people to use a mode of transport that may not be right for them. Many of our staff already walk, cycle, car share or use public transport and we know that many more would like to,"

said Alan Bennett, Head of Environmental Health.

"For employees of the Council, as for all other employees, this is a matter of personal choice. The Better Ways to Work scheme will enable that choice to be fairly made".