Ipswich Borough Council has proposed a series of changes to its Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) 2019-2024 designed to fine-tune how the authority approaches air pollution reduction in the town.
The council monitors air quality in 90 locations across Ipswich. When the monitoring shows high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the council is required to declare air quality management areas (AQMAs), of which Ipswich currently has four.
The AQAP 2019-2024 contains various measures aimed at addressing air pollution when the annual mean objective level for NO2 is exceeded in an AQMA.
While Ipswich’s AQAP has been appraised and approved by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the council’s executive committee will meet next week to consider several improvements to the plan.
Amongst the changes, for which Suffolk County Council will take the lead, are: acceleration of the provision of on-street public EV charging points; promotion of schemes to incentivise people coming into Ipswich town centre to use public transport over private cars; work with bus operators to encourage renewal of their fleets to cleaner, i.e. Euro VI or better and/or low-emission hybrid buses on certain routes;
and consideration and exploration of the feasibility of further measures that would improve air quality within AQMAs and across the borough.
Cllr Alasdair Ross, portfolio holder for community protection, Ipswich Borough Council, said: “The town’s Air Quality Action Plan is a working plan and needs regular change to ensure we are working in the smartest way to counter air pollution in Ipswich.
“That is why I am pleased that we are making these improvements but also outlining various measures we want Suffolk County Council to progress.”
