POLLUTION-busting measures are likely to be shifted up a gear after two of Eastleigh town centre's major approach roads failed Whitehall standards for air quality.

Eastleigh Council's powerful executive cabinet will hear tonight that sections of Leigh Road and Southampton Road are exceeding standards set for nitrogen dioxide.

Now, legislation means that the borough council has to set up air quality management areas to improve the situation.

In a report from the council's environmental health chief, Paul Ruta, councillors will be told: " We know that by far the majority of pollution in Eastleigh is due to motor vehicle emissions and therefore this will be looked at more closely than other contributors such as railway and airport."

If the council executive gives the go-ahead, an action plan will be prepared to improve air quality on the stretch of Leigh Road from the junction with Bournemouth Road at Chandler's Ford into the town centre.

Southampton Road from the town centre to the Wide Lane roundabout near the M27 link road will also be targeted although no firm boundaries have yet been set. An action plan will be prepared and, already, an air quality working group has met to consider possible strategies.

They include:

Progressing the Chickenhall Lane link road which would provide a southern bypass for the town centre.

Encouraging workers to share cars.

Improving traffic flows at junctions and traffic lights.

Introducing a park and ride scheme.

Continue to promote cycling and provide more cycle lanes.

Improve public transport.

Part of the plan will include talks with local residents early in the new year.

The pollution-busting move has been welcomed by local resident Roy Stokes who has lived in Leigh Road for 18 years.

He said: "The traffic has increased dramatically. You can taste and breathe in the fumes. We have to close our windows in the front of the house and we are constantly having to wash down our front door because of the dirt."