COUNCIL staff in York are set to become some of the country's "greenest" under new travel plans aimed at cutting congestion and helping health.

A major new transport plan will be discussed by senior City of York councillors that could change the way council staff travel forever.

It is designed to encourage staff travelling to and from work and on council business to ditch their cars.

A number of the proposals are designed to encourage staff on to bikes, with an increase in the monthly cycling allowance from £6.93 to £9.14, an offer of staff cycle safety training and provision of 44 pool cycles.

Other recommendations include matching bus company First's ten per cent discount on bus tickets, so council staff get a fifth off their bus fares, and carrying out a pilot study on a pool of mopeds or scooters.

If councillors approve the plan, they will hit themselves in the pocket, as it includes proposals to bring their car mileage allowances into line with staff payouts.

Council leader Steve Galloway, who recently switched to a low fuel, low pollution Smart car, said he hoped the plans would have a knock-on effect on York's traffic levels.

Encouraging people who do not live near Park & Ride sites to use the service was a priority.

Coun Galloway said: "Public attitudes to transport, both for work and leisure reasons, are changing. This plan involves a number of different aspects, which will suit people who are subject to differing circumstances."

Coun Galloway said he did not expect strong resistance to the proposals to cut members' mileage allowances.

He said: "The reduced level adequately covers the cost of operating a normal car."

Opposition leader Dave Merrett said his Labour group backed the plans.

"We have been pressing for this for some time," he said.

Coun Merrett said the Labour group would support the cut in members' mileage allowances.

Green Party councillor Mark Hill said he felt the plans did not go far enough.

He said: "This is really quite superficial when compared with the very large numbers of middle-ranking staff that get company car-style benefits.

"That is an issue I intend to raise."

The travel plan will be discussed by the council's executive at 2pm on Tuesday, at The Guildhall. It has been recommended for approval.

Updated: 10:30 Monday, July 28, 2003