Air Quality Management

Legislation and strategy

The Government's revised air quality strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was a direct response to the requirements of the Environment Act 1995.

It set health based standards and objectives covering seven pollutants: Benzene; 1,3-Butadiene; Carbon Monoxide; Lead; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter (PM10); Sulphur Dioxide.

The Act requires all local authorities to periodically review and assess air quality in order to determine whether the Air Quality Objectives will be met.

Air quality reports

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) outlines a phased approach to local reviews and assessments. When the reviews and assessments are completed, if it is unlikely that the objective level for any of the specified pollutants can be achieved by the target date, we must declare the location as an air quality management area (AQMA) and prepare an action plan to make improvements.

Current air quality management areas (AQMAs)

Following the most recent changes, the current AQMAs are:

Ipswich air quality management area no. 1 – encompassing the land in and around the junction of Norwich Road, Chevallier Street and Valley Road, this area extends along Chevallier Street to the junction with Providence Lane.

Download the Ipswich Air Quality Management Area No. 1 (PDF)
Ipswich air quality management area no. 2 – from the junction with Peel Street, extending along Crown Street, St Margarets Street and St Helens Street to the junction with Palmerston Road, and from St Margarets Street extending up Woodbridge Road to just beyond the junction with Argyle Street.

Download the Ipswich Air Quality Management Area No. 2 (PDF)
Ipswich air quality management area no. 3 – encompassing the land in and around College Street, Key Street, Salthouse Street, Fore Street, Star Lane, Neptune Square and Grimwade Street.

Download the Ipswich Air Quality Management Area No. 3 (PDF)
Ipswich air quality management area no. 5 – incorporating the land in or around St. Matthews Street / Norwich Road between the Civic Drive roundabout and Bramford Road.

Download the Ipswich Air Quality Management Area No. 5 (PDF)

All of the above designations were made in relation to the likely exceedance of the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective.

In light of improvements in air quality and no measured exceedances of the air quality objective for NO2 concentrations over a number of years, Ipswich air quality management area no.4 was revoked in August 2021.

Download the copy of the Revocation Order for AQMA 4 (PDF)

Monitoring air quality

We monitor air quality using:

Automatic monitors: these provide real-time data on nitrogen dioxide levels, accessible via the Air Quality England website.
Diffusion tubes: which are mounted on lamp-posts, signposts, or buildings, giving readings of nitrogen dioxide over four weeks. Accuracy can vary by up to 30%, so they are used for identifying long-term trends.

The review and assessment of the air quality in Ipswich is an ongoing process and we welcome your views, comments or ideas.

Air quality resources

Air pollution and health for more information on what is air pollution and its impacts on health.
Air quality FAQs for answers to common questions about air quality.
Improving air quality for tips on reducing pollution from travel and home activities.
School resources for activities and resources for schools to educate about air quality.
Development and air quality: guidelines and documents for developers, including the Ipswich local plan and low emissions supplementary planning document (SPD):
Biomass Boilers: Download the application form for installing a biomass boiler (PDF).

Actions to improve air quality

Travel: use public transport, walk, cycle, or car share. Keep vehicles well-maintained and avoid excessive use of air conditioning.
Home: use smokeless fuels, water-based paints, and avoid burning waste.