Thousands of workers have permission to be late for work next week - providing they leave their cars behind.

Bradford Council has told its 23,000 staff that bosses will turn a blind eye if they are late if they use public transport, walk, or use bicycles to get to work during a national anti-pollution drive.

And the Council - which is operating the week-long scheme jointly with Bradford Health Authority - says it even expects some City Hall staff to be early if they use pedal power because they will be able to whizz past cars on congested routes.

The two organisations are also holding seminars with other major employers to see how their employees can reduce their use of cars.

Today Bradford's Lord Mayor Councillor Tony Miller, a keen cyclist, said: "I would like to see the car parks empty.

"I don't think workers will try to pull the wool over their bosses' eyes by being deliberately late.

"I think people who cycle will be surprised when they see how fast it can be. And even if just a few of our workers leave their cars, it might encourage a lot of their colleagues.

The project is being held in support of the Government's Don't Choke Britain campaign. It comes as Bradford Council makes an all-out effort to get people on to bikes and public transport

The chairman of its transportation, planning and design committee, Councillor Latif Darr said: "I hope a lot of staff will support it. We want to cut pollution and heavy traffic.

Leeds Council will also promote a car-share day, drawing attention to the new high occupancy vehicle lane on the A647 Stanningley Road.

Council staff at Kirklees will also be invited to sign pledges to leave their vehicles behind on a special car free day.

And other employers will be encouraged to play their part by giving priority to car sharers when allocating parking places.

*Bradford Council has already set the ball rolling by offering bike loans to people who are eligible to receive car loans. A City Hall bike pool has been set up and cyclists are offered expenses in the same way as car users.

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