AIR quality in areas of Bolton is very poor and will not meet be Government anti-pollution targets in the next 10 years.

Bolton Council has set up an air quality management area to look at the problem, but say it is powerless to change things until the Government takes more cars off the roads.

The main reason for the bad air quality is vehicle emissions, which many fear damage health and cause asthma.

Problem areas are around the M61, the town centre, Farnworth, Burnden, Halliwell, Dean and Derby, following the towns main roads.

The council has 12 to 18 months to come up with an action plan to improve the situation in these areas.

This could include prohibiting or restricting traffic, road-user charging and workplace levies, legislation to control industrial processes, walk to school initiatives, and planning decisions which take air quality into account.

The council has asked the Local Government Association to lobby the Government to do more, but it is expecting local authorities to play their part.

Cllr Jospeh Higson, member of Environment Scrutiny said: "The majority of this pollution comes from cars and the largest is the M61 and A666. The only way you can reduce emissions is by reducing congestion.

"There is no way we can reduce these figures. We must go back to the and Government and say 'What can we do?'"

But even traffic calming measures increase emissions and reduce air quality because the cars have to slow down.

"If you have seen a child knocked down and killed as I have you do not worry about emissions," said Executive member for Environment Cllr Guy Harkin.

"I would rather have the emissions than a child killed."

The council is working with other councils and environmental agencies across Manchester on this issue, is to make representations to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs emphasising that there should be national policies, not local action, in ensuring the objectives are met.

AIR quality in areas of Bolton is very poor and will not meet be Government targets for less pollution in the next 10 years.

Bolton Council has set up an air quality management area to look at the problem, but say it is powerless to change things until the Government takes more cars off the roads.

The main reason for the bad air quality is vehicle emissions, which many fear damage health and cause asthma.

Problem areas are around the M61, the town centre, Farnworth, Burnden, Halliwell, Dean and Derby, following the towns main roads.

The council has 12 to 18 months to come up with an action plan to improve the situation in these areas.

This could include prohibiting or restricting traffic, road-user charging and workplace levies, legislation to control industrial processes, walk to school initiatives, and planning decisions which take air quality into account.

The council has asked the Local Government Association to lobby the Government to do more, but it is expecting local authorities to play their part.

Cllr Joseph Higson, member of Environment Scrutiny said: "The majority of this pollution comes from cars and the largest is the M61 and A666. The only way you can reduce emissions is by reducing congestion.

"There is no way we can reduce these figures. We must go back to the and Government and say 'What can we do?'"

But even traffic calming measures increase emissions and reduce air quality because the cars have to slow down.

"If you have seen a child knocked down and killed as I have you do not worry about emissions," said Executive member for Environment Cllr Guy Harkin.

"I would rather have the emissions than a child killed."

The council is working with other councils and environmental agencies across Manchester on this issue, is to make representations to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs emphasising that there should be national policies, not local action, in ensuring the objectives are met.