Describing Suffolk County Council responsibilities for local
air quality management.
The National Air Quality Strategy
Under the National Air Quality Strategy, this authority is
required to work with the districts and boroughs in ensuring that
the National Air Quality objectives contained in the National Air
Quality (England) Regulations are not exceeded.
An important part of the Local Air Quality Management process is
the regular review and assessment of local air quality, which is
carried out by the districts and boroughs. This authority supports
the review and assessment of local air quality by the provision of
traffic flow information and the identification of new road scheme
developments. See local authority web sites for
copies of their air quality review and assessment reports. These
identify where monitoring has been carried out.
Air Quality Management Areas and Air Quality Action
Plans
Where an Air Quality Management Area has been designated, an Air
Quality Action Plan addressing the problem is developed by the
appropriate district or borough. Again, this authority is closely
involved in the action planning process. See local
authority web sites for details of the Air Quality Management
Areas in Suffolk.
The Suffolk Air Quality Management Group
The Suffolk Air Quality Management Group was formed in 1996 to
co-ordinate local air quality matters across the county. Membership
of this group includes representatives from all of the Suffolk
districts and boroughs, Suffolk County Council, the Environment
Agency, the Highways Agency and the Health Authority. For any
enquiries, please contact Penny
Moys (penny.moys@.suffolk.gov.uk).
Road Traffic, Air Quality and Local Transport Plan
2006/2011
The majority of pollution problems in the county are related to
road traffic and to the pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
particulate matter (PM10). As the highway authority, Suffolk County
Council has control over traffic management and transport planning
for all roads except the Trunk Roads. The importance of road
traffic to air quality has been recognised nationally by the
Department of Transport and identified for consideration in the
Local Transport Plan. Any Air Quality Action Plans
prepared by the districts and boroughs will be incorporated into
the Local Transport Plan at the earliest opportunity.
Air Quality Impact Assessment
The Environmental Impact Assessment of major planning proposals,
including new roads, mineral extraction sites and other large
developments, includes a full local air quality impact assessment
under the terms of the Regulations. Apart from quantifying changes,
this identifies whether there is any likelihood that the National
Air Quality objectives may be exceeded. Any measures proposed
within, or immediately adjacent to, a designated Air Quality
Management Area are investigated in detail for air quality
impacts.
Clean Air For Suffolk - Kids Zone
Everyone can do their share in helping to keep Suffolk’s air
clean. School Travel Plans are being put into place across the
county to advise on alternatives to the car for travelling to
school. Options can include walking and walking buses, cycling,
catching the bus or taking the train depending on how far you have
to travel and whether it is safe. These alternatives will all help
to keep air clean where you live and go to school and keep
everybody healthier.
For further information go to the links below
Air Quality Information
Relevant links
Useful web sites