WEST Berkshire Council is unaware how many of its staff who are non-essential car users drive to work.

The council does not hold that information, according to Richard Somner (Con, Tilehurst South & Holybrook), the lead councillor for transport.

He was responding to a question from Councillor Martha Vickers (Lib Dem, Newbury Central) on June 13. She said: “Are you no longer operating a green travel plan?

“Surely if you are, you need to be collecting these statistics, in order to see how efficient your plan is.”

Cllr Somner said: “I haven’t reviewed the green travel plan, I’m fairly new to the portfolio, but I’m happy to track down and see where we are with that.

“Gathering this information hasn’t been in place for a number of years, so we don’t have it at the moment.

“However, I would add to that, the authority does provide secure cycle storage and shower facilities to encourage alternative modes such as cycling. We actively encourage and reward car sharing.”

Cllr Vickers, in an interview on June 14, said: “From people I know who work there, they don’t have active promotion. It’s got to be something that the council seriously looks at.

“Those that don’t have to use their car should be having a serious look to the alternatives.

“Encouraging people to keep fit and active is all about how you travel to work. For a lot of people, if they’re working in an office, then when is the time to exercise? It’s probably on their journey to and from work.

“It’s reducing carbon and keeping your staff fit — [the council] needs to be showing an example to other businesses about how they should be helping their staff to choose alternatives.”

Most carbon emissions in West Berkshire come from road travel, more than emissions from industry and homes combined, according to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.