COMMUTERS will be encouraged to find greener ways of travelling to stations in St Albans as part of a national scheme.

St Albans Abbey and St Albans City are among 31 train stations across England and Wales to be involved in Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly’s new Travel Plan.

The aim of the project is to help make it easier for people to get to railway stations without using their cars by improving public transport, cycling, and walking paths.

Environment spokesman Councillor Mike Ellis, said: "St Albans City Station is the busiest station on the Thameslink line into London.

“I warmly welcome this initiative to encourage rail passengers to come to the Abbey and City Stations by walking, cycling or by bus and therefore reduce congestion in the city centre."

In the autumn an extensive passenger research survey will be carried in the district to understand how and why passengers choose particular modes of transport.

The findings will be used to determine how St Albans District Council can make the best use of investment in local stations and changes will then begin to take place during March 2009.

The scheme could also help to reduce traffic congestion around stations.