GOVERNMENT departments are cutting it fine to meet their deadline for publishing green transport plans designed to get civil servants out of cars and on to bicycles and public transport. By the end of next month the departments should have a fully prepared green transport plan, but the vast majority are still a long way from finalising their proposals.

As part of the integrated transport white paper every Government department must implement green transport plans for all headquarters and main buildings by March 31, and for all other buildings by March 2000. Departments are looking at the possibilities of both incentives, such as interest-free loans for bicycles and public transport season tickets, and disincentives, such as reduced workplace car parking and cuts in car mileage allowances.

With only five weeks until the deadline, departments are frantically compiling the plans.

But while some are well-briefed on draft and finalised proposals - particularly the Department of Social Security, Inland Revenue, Welsh Office and the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions - other departments' staff seem to be in the dark. When questioned they were initially not aware of any alternatives to the car, incentive schemes or commuter plans. Prime offenders include the Treasury, Cabinet Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.