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Print articleNow in its 11th year, the theme for 2007 was the environment and the pollution caused every day by the school run.
Mums and dads, as well as teachers and school staff, were urged to leave the car at home and go on foot.
Cars produce more pollution (per kilometre) on short journeys, when the engine is cold and the car keeps stopping and starting in traffic jams.
The pollutants produced include carbon monoxide, as well as particulates - tiny specks of soot (a tenth of the width of a human hair) which can enter the lungs and make asthma worse.
At Saron Primary School in Carmarthenshire, the county council's road safety mascot Gari Gosafe joined in the fun.
Saron Primary School Head teacher Gwenda Easton said: ?It was a great success, mums and dads walked to school with their children, and the teachers joined in too.
?We had two walks, one from the Ammanford direction and one from Capel Hendre square, and the pupils were very excited to see Gari Gosafe. We are now hoping that we can start a walking bus to school.?
The Carmarthenshire council's environment executive board member Councillor Pam Palmer said:
?We are very pleased that so many schools took part in Walk to School Week.
?Research has shown that the levels of pollutants inside a car are at least three times worse than on the pavement at the side of the street, so driving to school isn't just bad for the environment, it is bad for your health.
?Walking to school is a great way to 'do your bit' in the same way as recycling your bottles or turning off the lights.?
This year nearly ?500,000 will be invested in Carmarthenshire schools to promote sustainable travel through engineering and educational measures.
