STAFF at St Ives-based property specialist Movewithus, the 2006 overall winner of the Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards, have given overwhelming backing to a move to reduce their carbon footprint at work. Four out of five of the company s nearly

STAFF at St Ives-based property specialist Movewithus, the 2006 overall winner of the Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards, have given overwhelming backing to a move to reduce their carbon footprint at work.

Four out of five of the company's nearly 200 employees have signed up to a car-sharing scheme that has reduced vehicles in the Grant Hall car park by 67 every day.

Recent figures indicate 60 per cent of cars on our roads only have one occupant, and that 84 per cent of commuters travel alone. By creating a car share system, the average regular Cambridgeshire commuter could potentially save up to £1000 a year, said the firm's people director, Caroline Hart.

"Not all companies are as willing to co-operate as Movewithus has, and the staff should be very proud that they are one of the 11 per cent of businesses that are willing to reduce their vehicle emissions."

In addition, the food available at the company café has been subsidised to encourage the staff to stay on site, reducing the amount of traffic during the lunch period. The company has also beefed up recycling with separate waste bins now available for the different materials. Ms Hart added: "Such a simple format really does go a long way. Saving petrol money, cutting traffic congestion and, more importantly, reducing carbon emissions are huge benefits.