AIR quality is getting worse on some of Salisbury's busiest roads, according to the latest figures.

London Road, Exeter Street, Wilton Road, South Western Road and Devizes Road have all registered rises in nitrogen dioxide, a chemical linked to early death.

Salisbury area board chairman Richard Clewer told a meeting on Thursday that the initial data had yet to be finalised, but it was a "disturbing" increase.

"Litter is an eyesore but air quality, we don't see it, but it does take years off some people's lives and that makes it a pretty serious issue," he said.

Money to improve air quality in the city has been spent on planting trees in high-risk areas including Skew Bridge, South Wiltshire University Technical College and Fountain Way, all on Wilton Road, as well as near Waitrose.

There are also plans to plant more new trees at the Friary and Southampton Road roundabout.

Other measures for tackling air pollution that have been discussed by the Salisbury air quality management group this year include the development of a mobile app that will give real-time air quality readings; promotion of green tourism; reducing people's reliance on cars; improving walking and cycling routes; and Clean Bus technology for the city.

Cllr Clewer said the latest buses produced "miniscule" levels of emissions compared with previous models, and the group was in talks with Wilts and Dorset about upgrading some of its fleet.

"You are talking about a 90 per cent reduction," he said.

The group is also looking at securing a bus service to Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre and has secured £7,500 in contributions from the new Asda supermarket towards developing green infrastructure.