BRADFORD'S worst roads for air pollution have been revealed in a major study which has established a direct link between low birth weight babies and high levels of pollution.

A long-term study of more than 13,000 babies born Bradford has concluded that there is a significantly higher risk of having a baby weighing less than 5.5lb for women who live within 100 metres of a very busy road.

Homes which sit close to Manchester Road, Midland Road, Canal Road and Manningham Lane are among the pollution hotspots identified by researchers on the Born in Bradford project.

Low birth weight is important because it is a good predictor of later health issues such as breathing problems and brain and nervous system impairment.

Professor Neil Small, who sits on the Born in Bradford executive, said: "In the worst areas for pollution, there is a significant increased risk of having a low birth weight baby."

Living within 100 metres of these roads appeared to have the greatest affect on unborn babies, he said.

"When a road is very close to houses, the levels of pollution for residents can be very high. The distance you are from the source of pollutants is important."

Health expects had always suspected that air pollution might affect birth weights but the Bradford study has now provided conclusive proof.

Researchers say that diesel vehicles are the worst polluters, particularly buses and heavy lorries.

Prof Small said a "green makeover" for all diesel buses would make a "significant difference" to the quality of air in many parts of Bradford.

The research, conducted alongside 14 towns and cities across 12 European countries, revealed that Bradford has some of the highest pollution levels of all the urban areas studied.

The research findings are already leading to changes in public policy at national and local level.

In Bradford, politicians are putting pressure on bus operators to invest more money in greener vehicles.

Councillor David Green, leader of Labour-controlled Bradford Council, said the authority was working towards reducing its own reliance on older diesel vehicles while putting pressure on bus company First - which operates 188 diesel buses in Bradford - to invest in new, less polluting vehicles.

"When we do make changes in our fleet, we do try to look at hybrid vehicles," said Cllr Green.

However, he said the Council was limited in what it could achieve on its own.

Cllr Green ruled out banning diesel vehicles from the city, saying it would not be practical.

Vehicle manufacturers had a major role to play in making vehicles greener, he said.

"If we are going to keep diesels we need something to prevent particulates from getting into the atmosphere. This is not something that Bradford Council can do. It needs to be addressed at national and international level."

A spokesman for First said: "We absolutely recognise our responsibilities to the communities we serve to reduce the environmental impact of our services.

"At First we focus on this in two key ways. Firstly by working with our suppliers introducing low emission buses that meet high standard Euro engine technology. Since June last year we've introduced 23 Euro V and Euro VI buses replacing more than ten per cent of the 188-strong fleet including 11 brand new 'Champion' buses launched last week providing luxury leather interiors and free Wi-Fi.

"Secondly, we work hard in partnership with the Council and Combined Authority to improve bus services and attract more people on to buses and out of their cars.

"As well as supporting the economy and local communities, our buses help reduce congestion and reduce harmful emissions from cars.

"If everyone in the UK switched just one car journey a month to bus that would be one billion fewer car journeys on our roads.

"Helping ensure buses are reliable through priorities such as the Manchester Road guide way also helps attract people from cars. We've also kept our fares low to ensure travelling by bus is great value for money.

"Of course we can do more and we will continue to work hard with our transport partners to invest in our bus network to provide high quality, reliable services and attract even more people out of their cars and on to public transport."

Councillor Alyas Karmani, who represents the Little Horton ward which neighbours Manchester Road, said poverty and pollution levels were linked to life opportunities from a young age.

"As a Council, we have got to take this seriously but with the cuts in the next five years we are really going to see increased levels of poverty and related issues."

Cllr Karmani (Bradford Independent Group), who grew up near Tooting High Street in London and suffers from asthma, said he did not believe his condition was related to his upbringing near a busy road.

The research into how pollution affects birth weight will be presented today at the fifth scientific conference of Born in Bradford, taking place at the National Media Museum, Bradford.