
The last remaining Air Quality Management Area in East Suffolk – located on the A12 within Stratford St Andrew – has been removed following significant improvements in air quality.
To meet national air quality objectives, local authorities must regularly review and assess air quality in their areas. If a location is found where the objectives are not being achieved, the local authority must declare the area an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and develop an Air Quality Action Plan to reduce air pollution.
The AQMA, located at four properties close to the A12 within Stratford St Andrew, was established in 2014 after high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were detected. Studies undertaken suggested that southbound traffic accelerating just prior to the end of the 30mph speed limit in Stratford St Andrew – originally located at the end of the Long Row houses – was a cause of increased emissions and a large part of the problem.
In 2017, after the 30/50mph speed limit change was moved further south out of the village and away from the houses by Suffolk County Council, NO2 concentrations within the AQMA fell below the national objective level and have continued to decrease year-on-year.
As a result, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) requested that the AQMA be revoked, and an assessment was carried out in 2024 to establish whether removal of the AQMA was appropriate. The revocation assessment considered the historical monitoring data, projected NO2 concentrations over the next five years, local and national trends in NO2 emissions, and local and regional factors that may impact on the AQMA. This included the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) expected to commence within East Suffolk – including Sizewell C, and the East Anglia One (North) and East Anglia Two offshore windfarms.
The findings were discussed by East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet on 1 October 2024, and following a six-week public consultation, the AQMA was revoked on 18 December.
Fiona Quinn, East Suffolk Council’s Head of Environmental Services and Port Health, said:
“Poor air quality negatively affects the health and wellbeing of our residents, and so it is great news that the air quality at this location has significantly improved to such an extent that the AQMA is no longer necessary.
“This will not alter our monitoring regime. The Council will continue to monitor air quality in Stratford St Andrew and along the A12.
“This is particularly important as the early years works have now started for Sizewell C, construction associated with cabling has begun for the EA3 Offshore Windfarm, and initial surveying work has started for both the EA1N and EA2 offshore windfarms. We will be keeping a close eye on NO2 concentrations at this location, and across the district, and working closely with each project individually and cumulatively.
“With the removal of our last AQMA our air quality focus is now able to shift, and we will be updating the East Suffolk Air Quality Strategy to reflect this. We want our residents to help shape the strategy by telling us their air quality priorities and we will be conducting public engagement in early March.”
A copy of the revocation order is available online.