ENVIRONMENTAL groups have backed the council plans to 'go green' and cut workers' travel subsidies this week. North Lancashire Friends of the Earth claim it is about time the Council reviewed its travel allowances and should press on with the proposed changes despite opposition from Town Hall employees. Last week the Citizen revealed how some workers stand to lose £1,000 a year in the shake up but Jonathan Sears from Friends of the Earth said: "Some workers may be incensed but our group are amazed it has been allowed to go on for so long. If it is true that some workers stand to lose £1,000 a year then they are currently being paid that amount out of public funds for adding to traffic and pollution in the district. This sets a bad example to other employers and is unfair to the vast majority of the population who do not work for the council."

According to Mr Sears the present system promotes environmental damage. He claims that:

the council encourages employees to run larger cars.

440 employees get free car parking.

125 employees have to sign contracts to drive to work everyday.

the council offers no incentives to employees who already use, or would consider switching to, greener transport.

Mr Sears added: "Whilst the policy of allowing council bosses to travel first class to London is very insensitive, this should not be used by the unions to turn the review into a row about cost cutting."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.