Air quality warning could be lifted from a Suffolk town's busy junction after almost 20 years
There's now a lower level of nitrogen dioxide
An air quality warning could be lifted from a Suffolk town’s busy junction after nearly 20 years after a drop in pollution.
Members of Ipswich’s executive met last week to discuss one of the town’s Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in and around Norwich Road, Chevallier Street and Valley Road.
These AQMAs are designated areas considered to not meet the Government’s national air quality and pollution objectives.
Although three out of the four Ipswich AQMAs still have higher than wanted concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), data for the Norwich Road junction air quality area, first established in 2006, has shown lower levels over the last five years.
This means the council can now lift the designation after it releases a full consultation, to which executive members unanimously agreed.
Cllr John Cook, the member for communities and sport, said home working habits and measures to deal with rush hour traffic have both contributed to better air quality in the area.
He also suggested that given the pollution data over the last five years, it is unlikely consultation will result in anything other than a lifting of the AQMA.
Cllr Cook added: “This is one example of a consultation which is hard to see how it’s going to have any ultimate impact on our decision.”
Once the consultation period is over, however, a new report will be brought to executive members for the formal lifting of the air quality designation.