Pupils are making their community more sustainable

Llanelli school children have taken further steps in making their community more sustainable.

Ysgol Dewi Sant pupils have been making a difference by travelling to school by foot, on a bicycle, using public transport and car sharing with other children.

The class versus class idea is for youngsters to develop pedestrian and road safety skills, reduce traffic congestion, whilst promoting physical exercise and improving air quality.

The one that travels the most footsteps per pupil and gets the furthest around Carmarthenshire in one week will receive a certificate and a golden shoe award.

Designed by Carmarthenshire County council’s road safety unit, The Which Way Today challenge is supported by the Carmarthenshire Community Challenge.

Councillor Pam Palmer said: “This school travel plan is not only sustainable and environmentally friendly, but it also saves time for parents who often have to sit in traffic queues and reduces traffic congestion around the school gates.

“Each time a pupil has travelled in a sustainable way to school during the week, they are awarded with a sticker to place in the appropriate position on a record card. The winning class will be the one that colours in the most footsteps per pupil.”

Parent or carers of pupils who live too far to walk to school can park in a socially acceptable place and should be able to walk safely the last five to ten minutes of the journey.

Dewi Sant School headteacher Gethin Thomas said: “The response to the challenge has been very welcoming, with children, parents and staff walking to school. It also eased the congestion at the school gates. It’s been such a success that we are looking to develop a walking bus to school which will involve volunteers accompanying the children on foot.”

The Bryndulais Avenue Welsh medium school is one of three in Carmarthenshire recently awarded the prestigious Eco-schools platinum level award. To achieve the title a school must maintain the green flag for six years and address a range of issues including transport, energy, waste and recycling, and global citizenship.

What is your school doing? Become part of Carmarthenshire’s Community Challenge today and make a difference to your community. Register on 01267 224902 or visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/communitychallenge. Follow us on www.facebook.com/CarmarthenshireCommunityChallenge or www.twitter.com/CarmsChallenge for the latest updates