A competition to get West of England commuters to swap their cars for sustainable modes of transport has been a record-breaking success.

Now in its fourth year, almost 3,000 commuters took part in Jam Busting June this summer.

Running throughout South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and North Somerset during the month of June, the scheme aims to get people who normally travel to work by car alone to work from home, car share, catch the bus or train, or walk or cycle to work instead.

The scheme saw almost half a million occupancy car miles saved, reducing the same amount of CO2 as if 22,000 trees had been planted.

For every three days that commuters travelled to work using a green mode of transport, or by car if car sharing (five days for motorcycles over 400cc), they were entered into a free prize draw.

In a joint statement, the four authorities, who are also collaborating on the area’s first joint transport plan, said: ‘We are committed to improving the transport network to make it easier for everyone to get around.

‘The Jam Busting June initiative gives commuters an incentive to try leaving the car at home and switch to more sustainable modes of transport.’