TRAFFIC pollution is so bad along the main A35 trunk road in Chideock that the authorities must now act - by law.

Tests by West Dorset District Council - which has to monitor air quality under the 1995 Environment Act - show that while there is some cause for concern in Bridport town centre, levels of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide in Chideock have been found to exceed European targets.

The nitrogen dioxide pollution comes from high levels of traffic, particularly in the summer months.

These results mean the district council now has to declare an air quality management area' and take steps to combat the problem.

The designation means that pollution levels will be looked into in more detail and a plan of practical measures to improve air quality drawn up.

But first residents, businesses and other groups will be asked for views and ideas about how the situation can be improved.

Villagers will be receiving a letter, information leaflet and questionnaire with more information about air pollution and the air quality management area.

Chideock Parish Council chairman Giles Frampton said: "We have been, along with others of the A35 pressure groups, pressing for the road to lose its trunk road status and for traffic to be diverted up to the A37 rather than sending these lorries through Chideock and all these small communities on the A35.

"It's as simple as that and it just needs some political will for it, particularly in the light of the new distribution centre that is being created over at Honiton.

"The bypass, because of geological considerations, is not going to happen in Chideock. I think we have got to find a practical alternative and I know MP Oliver Letwin has been pushing particularly for the HGVs to go north."

Mr Frampton suggested one solution would to be let locals use the road for free and ask visitors to pay a congestion charge.

"That would soon send them back to the motorways," he said.

Readings have shown levels of pollutants high in Bridport too, with measurements being taken in West Road.

But, with the concentration of residents near the road, Chideock is the main priority.

Environmental health officer Graham Duggan said: "Further monitoring will take place at two locations in Bridport - at East Street and at the junction of South Street, West Street and East Street. We want to investigate levels of pollution at these locations more closely, particularly near to people's homes."