Bolton Council is undertaking a major survey of the borough's air - to see how polluted it is.

The results will be published in the next few months to show pollution blackspots.

The BEN revealed yesterday that the half mile section of St Peter's Way near the town centre was one of the worst for exhaust pollution in the whole of the North-west.

Using Government figures, environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth rated the stretch of St Peter's Way between Falcon Street and St George's Street as the "38th nastiest road" in the region.

The stretch of road is next to the new Boltongate Shopping Centre as well as houses off Turton Street.

Friends of the Earth say nitrogen dioxide - one of the dangerous airborne pollutants - can aggravate asthma and reduce lung function as well as increasing susceptibility to viral infections.

Industry

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Assessing air quality is complex and while road traffic is probably the largest single source of pollution for most towns there are other sources including industry, commercial and domestic.

"As well as nitrogen dioxide, we are looking at carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene and lead.

"The section of road near to the junction with Topp Way and Turton Street suffers from heavy traffic and Friends of the Earth's forecast is not surprisingly above the Government's standards."

The spokesman said a more detailed survey was taking place which would also predict future air pollution areas in the town.

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