SOUTHAMPTON has been ranked as the eighth most polluted city in the UK, figures have revealed.

The latest report from the World Health Organisation lists cities that are failing to meet air quality targets.

The so-called toxic-cities show that levels of a certain pollutant called particulate matter exceeded the WHO's limits. Southampton recorded a reading of 15, above the limit of 10 set by the WHO.

Particulate matter can be caused by numerous sources including industry and traffic, especially diesel vehicles, and raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes in those that breathe it in.

Latest figures estimates that the health impact from transport costs £50million in Southampton, with long-term exposure to polluted air causing 110 deaths a year in our city.

The figures have renewed calls for more action by national and local government to tackle the problem.

Organisation Client Earth, who is currently locked in a legal battle with the government over what they claim is a failure to tackle the issue, says more needs to be done to stop residents breathing in 'unsafe air'.

Andrea Lee, Clean Air Campaigner for ClientEarth said: “People in Southampton have the right to breathe clean air, but the government’s planned clean air zone for the city is not strong enough to secure this."

Dave Davies of the Campaign for Air Pollution Public Inquiry said local politicians were also failing to tackle the situation.

"It might well be that local government officers do not have the financial or technical resources to see whether certain strategies will work but I believe that in Southampton not even the basic steps are being taken to implement polices that could have an effect.

"It beggars belief that those simple steps are not being taken, just ignoring the obvious is outrageous."

However, Southampton City Council defended their actions, saying the authority had an existing Air Quality Action Plan which has identified 48 individual measures to improve air quality which included establishing an Clean Air Zone.

A spokesman said a strategy was being finalised and that measures included encouraging more low emission vehicles in the city, incentivising users of ultra-low emission vehicles and working closely with the port owners and operators to identify opportunities to introduce clean technologies.

Councillor Chris Hammond, Cabinet Minister for Transformation Projects at Southampton City Council said: “Our priority is to improve the air we breathe in the city. By taking action, we can have a positive impact on health.

“That's why we'll be working with all key partner agencies in order to achieve continuous improvements. Everyone has a role to play in making improvements.

“This will help us to achieve positive and lasting change, which we will all benefit from.”

A Defra spokesperson said: “The Government is firmly committed to improving the UK’s air quality and cutting harmful emissions.

“That's why we have committed more than £2billion to greener transport schemes since 2011 and set out a national plan to tackle pollution in our towns and cities.”