THE Government has called on major employers to play a constructive role in establishing 'green' commuter plans for their staff. The transport white paper argued that such plans can improve companies' environmental performance and image, and give them a commercially valuable green halo.

It also detailed a host of logistical and financial benefits arising from green commuter schemes, as a result of cutting car congestion to office and industrial sites. Staff will arrive more punctually and less stressed, visitors and deliveries will enjoy easier access, and substantial economic savings can be achieved by reducing the need for expensive workplace parking.

Practising what it preaches, the Government has set itself a target that all headquarters buildings and main buildings of its executive agencies and offices for the regions should have green transport plans by March 1999, and all other key buildings by March 2000.