THE Bridgwater Way workplace challenge took place over four weeks resulting in a huge 14,494 journeys undertaken through sustainable transport modes such as walking, car share and public transport; saving over 5,000kg of CO2 emissions alone.

The challenge encouraged nine local businesses to download the ‘BetterPoints’ App; a free Smartphone App through which users can earn points and prizes for travelling actively and sustainably.

Weekly prize draws saw many participants winning BetterPoints bundles ranging from £10 to £50 which can be exchanged for little luxuries like high street vouchers or your morning coffee.

The top three winning organisations in each category received £100 worth of BetterPoints to donate to a charity of their choice - top of the leader board were Mercure, Trelleborg and Nagel Langdons.

A spokesman for The Bridgwater Way said: "Congratulations also to the overall Workplace Challenge champion Jay C who participated as part of the Bridgwater & Taunton College team.

"Jay completed the most amount of activities during the challenge; his prize was £100 worth of BetterPoints and £100 to donate to a charity of his choice."

Cllr John Woodman, cabinet member for highways at Somerset County Council said: “Well done to everyone that took part in the challenge, it was really great to see the camaraderie amongst local businesses and even better that some local charities reaped the benefits too.”

He continued: “This incentive-based App is a really great way to get people travelling in a way that’s new to them, while also having a positive effect on local traffic, health and the environment too."

The Bridgwater Way is focussed on helping to keep Bridgwater moving as the town goes through a period of significant growth and investment and has been facing a lot of traffic problems.

Funded by EDF Energy and supported by Sedgemoor District Council it provides information, advice and tools to help people choose the best ways to travel and routes to use, and help reduce the need to travel in the first place.

The aim is to reduce the amount of traffic on the road, reducing congestion and helping the environment.

It includes investment in new roads and improvements to existing roads and junctions, as well as miles of new and improved routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

It also offers active travel initiatives to make getting to work or school easier and safer.

For more information on travelling around Bridgwater and visit The Bridgwater Way website at www.thebridgwaterway.co.uk.