Around 120 delegates were told about the changes which could benefit the companies, such as reduced costs, improved health and increased productivity.

The first 'Making Sustainable Travel Work' conference – organised by the Highways Agency, Smarter Choices and the Tyne and Wear local authorities – brought a range of experts together to explain how businesses can make the adjustments and overcome economic demands.

Graham Riley, influencing travel behaviour programme manager for the Highways Agency, said: "We can all see how the way we choose to travel effects our environment, our quality of life, and increasingly, our finances.

"Altering how people think about getting to and from work can make a difference to traffic flows and bring improvements for individuals such as improving their fitness by cycling to work, or making new friends and spreading the cost of fuel by car sharing.

"It is important that we take a long hard look at work travel and draw up travel plans that are affordable and sustainable.

"The Highways Agency proactively works with organisations to help introduce new travel plans for their staff."

He added they were not anti-car, just highlighting the best options available for commuting to work and other trips.

Figures from the MetroCentre show that around 26 per cent of all customers visit by using public transport.

And Cobalt Business Park, in North Tyneside, was highlighted as an example of using sustainable modes of transport, such as public transport, car share, cycling and walking.

Lynn Cramman, who joined Cobalt in 2006 as travel planner, said: "More recently we have started working with recruitment agencies and the occupiers so that we can offer our travel planning pack as part of the overall package of benefits on offer to people starting work here.

"It is hard to say what direct financial benefit there is for the occupiers of Cobalt but what they are seeing is their staff getting to work more easily and in a way that is more affordable for them."

And for Laura Kerry, of Quorum Business Park in North Tyneside, the event was an even bigger success as she was the winner of a cycle in a prize draw.

For more information on travel planning for a business, visit www.makingsustainabletravelwork.com