BOURNEMOUTH council is is offering prizes in a bid to get commuters to switch to car sharing and other forms of transport and reduce congestion.

Yellow Buses recently warned that unless action is taken roads in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will come to a standstill, with a massive increase in traffic recorded over the past few years.

The council, in partnership with Sustrans, has launched a six-week 'commuter challenge', starting on September 11, which offers a range of valuable prizes as incentives to businesses and employees which eschew the roads.

So far 276 individuals and 22 businesses have signed up.

Councillor Mike Greene, cabinet member for transport, said: "Swapping regular journeys to more sustainable modes such as walking, cycling, car sharing or using public transport help remove vehicles from the road and reduces congestion.

"Bournemouth Commuter Challenge is the perfect way to introduce people to new ways of travelling to and from work. It also helps employers build a positive, healthy workplace culture that starts with employees having fun getting to work.

"We’re encouraging all Bournemouth businesses to sign up and help contribute to a better environment and less congestion in their area."

The Three Towns Travel scheme, under way since 2011, has seen a range of alterations to roads in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to create new crossings, bus stops and cycle lanes.

However the conurbation as a whole is growing rapidly with developments in various stages promising thousands of new houses constructed over the coming years, with major new employment sites at Wessex Fields, by the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and around Bournemouth Airport.

Criticism has been directed at Bournemouth council's ongoing collaboration with Morgan Sindall as the Bournemouth Development Company, which has seen several surface car parks earmarked for development as housing blocks, often with fewer parking spaces than flats.

In the commuter challenge, which runs until October 21, businesses and their employees will compete online for weekly prizes including iPads, Apple watches, cinema and shopping vouchers and much more. There are also early bird prizes for businesses which sign up before the start date.

Commuters will have to record their daily trips to and from work, and the organisations with the highest percentage of people taking part in each size category will be crowned the winners.

The council says the top six organisations will have the chance to win a £5,000 grant to help build 'sustainable travel infrastructure' at their business.

To find out more visit bournemouthcommuterchallenge.co.uk