East Suffolk Council

Air quality improvement actions

• The 30/50mph ‘change of speed limit’ signs at Stratford St Andrew have been moved further out of the village. Air quality modelling suggests that this should stop vehicles accelerating within the AQMA and therefore reduce NO₂ emissions. 
• Provision of information to the public and commerce on reducing emissions from solid fuel and wood burning, including the Government’s ‘Ready to Burn’ campaign.
• Trial to allow cycling on the promenade at Felixstowe has been completed and cycling is now allowed permanently. This will help encourage people out of their vehicles and allow associated emission reductions.
• The Port has purchased 24 ECO-Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes (RTGs) to date. 34 blocks on the port have been converted to electric. 41 RTGs have been converted to electric (eRTG). Two new electric quay cranes were installed in March 2018. 24 Internal Movement Vehicles (IMVs) were replaced in 2018. Two new electric staff vehicles and an electric internal tractor are being trialled to determine viability. The new and upgraded equipment will reduce emissions of NO₂ and particulates from port activities.
• The Port of Felixstowe has implemented a campaign to reduce vehicle idling within its boundary which will help reduce port-side emissions of NO₂ and particulates.
• Assessment of all relevant planning applications for air quality by the Environmental Protection Team, together with involvement in larger applications such as Sizewell C Power Station, Lake Lothing Third Crossing in Lowestoft, Adastral Park in Martlesham and Woods Meadow development in Oulton.
• Completed bid sent to the Highways Agency for installation of a rapid electric vehicle charging unit for public use in Felixstowe. This is part of a larger bid for 11 of these units within Suffolk. The hope is to improve the charging network within Suffolk to aid update and use of electric vehicles.
• A first draft of Travel Plan guidance for Suffolk has been produced by Suffolk County Council in conjunction with the district councils.
• The Lake Lothing third crossing in Lowestoft has undergone public consultation, ground investigations and submission of the complete application to the Planning Inspectorate. It is hoped that construction work will begin in 2020 with a project completion date of 2022. More information can be found on the Suffolk County Council website. The Lake Lothing third crossing would reduce traffic congestion within Lowestoft and particularly around the Bascule Bridge and improve air quality at this location.
• The final draft of the Waveney Local Plan has been published.
• Work by Network Rail, to reduce the rail crossing barrier down time in Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, have improved the situation by relieving congestion in this area. 
• Urban Traffic Management Control (UTMC) system UTMC is now installed and working within Lowestoft. The Bascule Bridge control system has now been suitably modified and connected to the traffic signals control system, allowing the signals to respond to the bridge and re-direct traffic accordingly. This should make it possible to set different signal timings to optimise traffic flow, not only at busy times, but to completely change the signal priorities when the Bascule Bridge lifts, thereby reducing congestion and associated emissions. 
• The East Suffolk website air quality pages have been re-designed and updated. The website is now more accessible and includes new information on biomass and wood burning.  This will aid to increase public awareness and knowledge surrounding air quality and provide ideas for all on personal emission reduction.
• Assessment of all relevant planning applications for air quality by our Environmental Protection team, together with involvement in larger applications such as Lake Lothing Third Crossing in Lowestoft and Woods Meadow development in Oulton.