In the third of its five-pamphlet series on Sustainable Transport, the lobby group is advocating subsidised local transport incentives for staff, providing facilities to encourage people to walk and cycle to work and investment in video and teleconferencing equipment to reduce business's reliance on transport.

A BCC spokesman said:

"We believe that by implementing our smarter alternatives as standard practice, the Government, partner organisations and companies themselves could dramatically help to reduce congestion on the transport system.

"Moreover, it woud illustrate a genuine commitment to the environment."