Bradford mail-order giant Grattan is launching a new drive for its workforce to "go green".

Thousands of workers are being urged to share cars with their workmates to protect the environment.

The firm has sent Travel to Work Survey questionnaires to its 3,500 staff at its headquarters which include offices, call centre and warehousing buildings from Ingleby Road to Thornton Road proposing a car-sharing scheme.

The green scheme is part of an environmental push by the firm which involves urging staff to go green at work and at home.

The survey is being carried out after Grattan's environmental manager Lowry Proctor discovered = the majority of staff who work at the headquarters live near each other and could share a car to work.

The company is now asking employees to say how they get to work and whether they would be happy to share a car.

Staff are also being asked what would have to happen to encourage them to use public transport.

Suggestions range from more direct bus routes, more frequent bus services, discount tickets, more convenient drop-off points, a subsidised bus service to and from Grattan, better connections with railway stations or more transport information at work.

The firm is promoting its ideas at a Travel to Work Fair, which will give more details of a car-sharing scheme, give staff a chance to talk to bus and rail service representatives and involve members of Bradford Cycle Action Group, who will be promoting pedal power.

Mr Proctor said today: "Our first survey of where employees lived showed us there were enough living near each other to allow many of them to share a car.

"The questionnaire has just gone out and the very early replies show a mixed response, with some people in favour of the idea and others saying they like the convenience of their own car."

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