Police will be asked to intervene should HGV drivers not respect new proposed rules that could see them banned from a busy route into the town centre.

But first they will be "nudged and cajoled" to avoid using Kingshill Road, with signs the first line of defence in a bid to cut the worst air pollution in Swindon.

Nitrogen dioxide pollution in the street has been so high that the government has mandated the council come up with a plan to address it.

Speaking at a meeting of the council's overview and scrutiny committee, senior council officer Damon Green said: “Enforcement is a matter for the police, but we will work with the police to do that if it's necessary.

“We have a grant from DEFRA for digital signs at either end of the street to nudge and cajole people to do the right thing."

Cllr Jim Grant, cabinet member for communities and joint working, said automatic number plate recognition is in use in Kingshill already, and that will be used to see if vehicles are breaching the order for the road after it is brought in.

The air quality management plan was mandated by the government when the levels of nitrogen dioxide reached 56 microgrammes per cubic metre of air, significantly higher than the legal limit of 40.

Labour councillor Mike Davies noted that the levels of NO2 had come down and were not much over that limit and asked: "If the levels are coming down anyway why do we have to do anything?”

Mr Green said: “In practice, if we want the air quality management order lifted then we’d have to get the levels well below 40 microgrammes.”

He also noted that as the Wichelstowe development progressed towards completion more traffic was expected to use Kingshill Road.

The narrow road is very steep causing heavier vehicles to labour and work less efficiently, and the terraced houses which front directly onto the pavement at some parts of the road trap the emissions.

Committee chairman Councillor Dale Heenan asked Cllr Grant: “If you’re using ANPR are you looking at a low emission zone?”

Cllr Grant said: “We’re not looking at that – but if anyone has feelings about low emission zones then they can contact me.”