A STUDY into air pollution along one of Colne’s busiest roads is set to take place.

Levels of nitrogen dioxide have regularly exceeded permitted rates at the junction of Windsor Street and Dickson Street.

Colne area committee has approved an air quality management order after concerns from Pendle Borough Council’s environmental health officers.

Councillors believe air quality has only deteriorated since the construction of the nearby Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Part of the A56, Windsor Street is one of the main routes to West and North Yorkshire, with many Bradford, Keighley and Skipton commuters using the route in and out of East Lancashire daily.

Coun Ann Kerrigan said: “The traffic is an absolute nightmare along there.

“Something needs to be done because we have got all this traffic pumping poisons into the atmosphere.

“I think we are going to have to look at a series of measures and look to divert traffic away from using this area.

“But the question is how you would achieve this.”

Coun Kerrigan said problems had been predicted before the Sainsbury’s store was approved, but people now needed to work together to overcome the difficulties.

Coun Smith Benson, who also represents Horsfield ward, said he had voted against the supermarket development, partly because of fears over traffic congestion.

He added: “The traffic is not going to get any less, that’s for sure, and we will need to see what the outcome of this order is.”

In 2008, a number of sites in Colne were identified as potential pollution hotspots, including Burnley Road, Albert Road and Market Street.

A new nitrogen dioxide monitoring station was installed at the Windsor Street, Skipton Road and Byron Road crossroads, near Sainsbury’s, in June 2009 but results there have not yet been analysed.