20mph speed zones urged in Wales to protect children 6 February 2013 Last updated at 08:05 More 20mph zones should be introduced on roads in built-up areas to protect pedestrians, and particularly children, say a group of Welsh assembly members. The Welsh government has provided 20mph zone funding for councils, but does not have the power to change speed limits. A debate will take place in the Senedd chamber later on Wednesday. The zones are a familiar sight outside many schools, but AMs say they could be introduced in other built-up areas or places where children play. Welsh government research found lowering the speed limit from 60mph to 20mph reduces road casualties. Ministers have cited the example of the Sandfields estate in Port Talbot where injuries from road accidents fell 48% over three years after a blanket 20mph speed limit was imposed. Councils were given £11.5m this year to introduce more zones, with ministers saying that slower traffic would make roads safer and encourage people to walk and cycle. Children aged eight to 11 and those aged 12 to 15 are the two age groups most likely to be killed or seriously injured as pedestrians. Since 2002, around 1 in 4 of child pedestrian casualties were pupils on their way to or from school. Pretty stark figures Labour AM Joyce Watson, one of the four backbench AMs tabling the debate, said 20mph zones could be imposed around school gates at peak times when children were likely to be around. "It's not going to add a lot of time to your journey," she said. These figures are pretty stark. If you have got a play park and they have to cross the road you have to reduce the speed limit. It's common sense. She said local authorities were taking very different approaches to 20mph zones around the country. "In Ceredigion County Council, there are only six schools that have an enforced or advised 20mph zone," she said. Compare that with Wrexham who have a programme of action over the next three years - all [roads] outside their school gates will have 20mph zones. Another AM behind the call, Conservative Byron Jenkins, a classic car enthusiast, said that "pedestrians come first." "That used to be the message that was in the highway code," he said. That seems to have gone and the car seems to be dominant in our world.