GOVERNMENT departments are introducing cycling initiatives and reviewing the number of parking spaces available to staff in line with advice issued to them in the Guide to Green Transport Plans. The guide, published late last year, has been drawn up to advise departments on environmental best practices.

It asks them to reinforce any commitments they already have as part of green housekeeping policy by introducing a targeted transport plan which could also bring savings by, for example, reducing need for car parking provision.

Kim Howells, junior minister in the Department for Education and Employment, said a number of developments had been taken forward with the help of the guidance contained in the document and had been introduced following a staff travel survey.

He said: 'The DfEE's arrangements for providing vehicles for official travel have been reviewed and more stringent conditions introduced. The Department has also given extra emphasis to encouraging staff to cycle to work by supporting National Cycle Week, advertising the availability of loans for purchasing bicycles and providing additional facilities for cyclists at two sites. All DfEE's headquarters sites and buildings will have operational green transport action plans in place by October 31 covering both commuting and official travel.'