CHILDREN from the poorest homes are the most likely youngsters to be killed on the roads, a report out today revealed.

Many children believe speeding, selfish driving and busy roads are preventing them from playing in their neighbourhoods, the study added.

Launched today by actress Jenny Agutter, the report calls for urgent Government and local authority action to help lessen the dangers.

Produced by children's charity Barnardo's and environmental group Transport 2000, the research pointed out that while drivers protest at speed cameras, 268 children die or are seriously injured each month on Britain's roads.

Children in deprived areas, who have reduced access to cars and adequate play facilities, are more exposed to traffic and are five times more likely to be injured.

Ms Agutter, who is patron of Transport 2000, said: "Even though roads are busy, children still want to use them to go to places and they want to do this safely. At present this is not possible. Therefore, the challenge to Government and to local authorities is to make roads safe for children."

Safe

Di McNeish, Barnardo's head of policy and research, said: "Children have a right to feel safe walking, cycling and playing in their own neighbourhoods.

"It's unacceptable that so many children are killed and injured on our roads, and that fear of dangerous roads is causing children to spend less and less time outside their homes. We want Government to act now to ensure that children get the positive childhoods they deserve."

Barnardo's and Transport 2000 are calling for:

* Speed cameras to be installed in deprived areas where there are large numbers of child pedestrians.

* 20mph speed limits in residential areas and near schools.

* All new housing developments to include play areas for children, and an increase in funding for Home Zones.

* Investment in driver education to make sure that motorists think before putting their foot down.

* More funding for traffic-calming in areas of high deprivation.

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