Workers in the UK already have the longest average daily commute in Europe: in many cases adding an entire working day each week.

Add to this the prospect of travelling to and from work in the dark for many months, and it is no surprise that many commuters succumb to depression and despondency during the winter.

Commute Smart Week, which starts Sunday October 28 – the day the clocks go back, will highlight how to avoid this misery.

It is encouraging employers to introduce smarter working, such as flexible working times (including flexitime, condensed hours and nine-day fortnights), staggered journeys and part home working, thereby reducing the overall need for staff to commute.

And, where they must still commute, to allow them flexibility to avoid peak times.

The adoption of smarter working practices not only benefits staff, it also significantly reduces traffic congestion and public transport overcrowding.

In addition, smarter working may help mitigate the significant increase in deaths and injuries that occur on our roads during the winter months.

Further details about smarter commuting and Work Wise UK can be found at www.workwiseuk.org.