SUPPORT is being offered in a bid to get more people in South Craven cycling or walking to and from work.

North Yorkshire County Council has launched an initiative to help businesses produce free travel plans for their staff.

The authority hopes that by promoting alternatives to using the car, traffic congestion and pressure on parking places will be reduced, air quality improved and employees’ health and wellbeing boosted.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said: “This is another way in which we are supporting businesses and their employees across the county, providing solutions for people at a very local level.

“We hope people will find travel plans particularly useful at the moment, as many have to adopt new ways of working or take-up new roles as we adapt to life during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our service may be able to help with solutions that make social distancing easier or support flexible working.

“The benefits of more-active travel can be wide ranging.

“For example, for businesses an active workforce is likely to be healthier and more productive – and a plan can help to reduce a business’s impact on the environment and it shows commitment to the community. For individuals, it could save time and money and help them to get fitter on their journey to work.”

The service is provided through Modeshift STARS Business, which delivers travel plans within education, business and community settings.

As the county council is a member of the Modeshift STARS scheme, businesses can create a travel plan and work towards a national accreditation without the £1,000 costs that would be incurred if they were to take part in the venture on their own.

For more details, visit opennorthyorkshire.co.uk.

The county council already offers a sister scheme, Modeshift STARS Education, to schools.

It enables them to create free travel plans for students and staff.

More information about that project can also be found on the Open North Yorkshire website, along with details of cycling confidence sessions and other support to encourage active travel.

Lockdown has seen a surge in interest in cycling and walking amongst the public.