Lesley McCarthy: 'A major impact'

Lesley McCarthy, FoE Cymru Children's Rights Worker, said our streets are virtual death traps for children.

"Road traffic accidents are the major cause of children's deaths," she said.

"Also very large numbers of children and young people are virtually incarcerated in their homes, they are escorted to school and back home.

"As one child said 'It's like living under house arrest'.

"Transport policy has a direct and major impact on children," she added.

'Little effort'

Thousands of children also suffer ongoing ill health because of pollution caused by cars, said Ms McCarthy.

FoE Cymru said many local councils make little effort to improve pedestrian and cycle routes.

The organisation has asked members of the Pre-16 Education/Children's Committee to discuss transport policy and how it impacts on children.

Plaid AM Owen John Thomas said that in order to ensure this happens he will raise the issue of transport when the children's committee discusses sustainable development on Wednesday.