A MOTORWAY junction in Whitefield has the highest level of nitrogen dioxide pollution in the north west, a study has revealed.

Levels of the pollutant at Junction 17 of the M60 are almost twice the target set by the Government, according to a new report from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

It is worrying news for asthma sufferers living close to the area as an increase in levels of nitrogen dioxide, found in the atmosphere, can lead to irritation to the airways of the lungs and worsen the symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The CSP report shows that the average measurement for nitrogen dioxide pollution is 31.5 microgrammes per cubic metre in the north west - but the figure for the junction stands at a staggering 68 microgrammes.

Nationally, it has the fourth highest level with London's Marylebone Road coming out top followed by Cromwell Road in London and Hope Street in Glasgow.

A Bury Council spokesman admitted the figure came as no surprise: "This section of the M60 is one of the busiest in the region and the A56 is one of the major traffic routes from Bury into Manchester. This site always measures high annual levels of nitrogen dioxide and it is no surprise that the measurements are fourth highest in the country.

"However this is certainly a worst case for Bury and it would not be appropriate to use these measurements as a pollution indicator for the whole borough."

By the end of 2005, the Government want the level lowered to a maximum of 40 microgrammes. Bury Council is working to reduce the pollution by joining councils across Greater Manchester to produce the Air Quality Action Plan, containing a comprehensive list of actions including roadside emission testing, and the Cleaner Vehicles campaign to encourage motorists to test and clean their exhaust emissions.

Grahame Pope, the CSP chairman of council, said: "Every year, physios treat thousands of patients with respiratory problems made worse by air pollution.

"It is important that people know more about air quality in their neighbourhood and play their part in improving their local environment. cars are the main culprit so we are asking people to consider alternative ways of getting from A to B.

"Using public transport would cut the number of cars but, for cleaner air, healthier lungs and fitter bodies, we are urging people to walk or cycle where possible."

Besses councillor Derek Boden is the council's Environment Champion and lives close to the affected area.

He admitted the figure was unsurprising but believes more can be done to fight pollution: "The cost of people commuting by cars into central Manchester via the A56 and M60 is being paid by the health of the people in my ward. We should be doing much more about it and be firmer in encouraging people to use public transport.

"We should also be persuading the Government to grant us the funding the improve our public transport network."

The Highways Agency, which is responsible for pollution on the M60, is looking at solutions to combat the nitrogen dioxide levels.