A COUNCIL is developing plans to persuade people to leave their cars at home.

School Travel Plans (STP) and Employee Travel Plans (ETP) are initiatives being considered by Darlington Borough Council.

STP looks at all aspects of travel to and from school, to seek to ensure the journey is safe for walking, cycling and taking the bus.

Members of Darlington Transport Forum will be told today that the main benefits of a STP will be to reduce traffic congestion around schools.

A working group made up from various council departments has asked schools to bid to be part of the initiative. Three or four will be selected for developing an STP this financial year.

The ETP works in a similar way, and is aimed at reducing peak hours traffic congestion and providing environmental and health benefits.

Darlington council has set up an ETP forum and invited all the major employers in the town to attend.

Measures which could be put in place for a workplace include car-sharing schemes, interest- free loans for public transport season tickets, and bicycle purchase.