Detailed investigations into concentrations of nitrogen dioxide
arising from vehicle exhaust emissions at the junction of Lime Kiln
Quay Road, Thoroughfare and St. John’s Street in Woodbridge were
completed in September 2005. A
report detailing the findings (new window PDF
255KB) was taken to the Council’s Cabinet in October 2005
for approval.
The report concluded that the objective for nitrogen dioxide is
likely to be exceeded at properties on the western side of the
Thoroughfare/Melton Hill arm of the junction, and that we should
consider declaring an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) at the
junction to tackle these exceedances. The Cabinet approved the
findings of the report and it was then sent to Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), who also approved the
findings and confirmed that we were required to declare an AQMA for
the junction.
Woodbridge Junction AQMA
On 3 March 2006, the Council made an
Air Quality Management Order (new window PDF
267KB) for the junction, which came into effect on 3 April
2006. Once an order comes into operation, a Further
Assessment must be made of the air quality and reported back to
Defra within twelve months.
The
Further Assessment (new window PDF 902KB)
was undertaken for the junction in October 2007, which confirmed
that the AQMA should be retained. This assessment concluded that
about 90 percent of the nitrogen dioxide emissions are as a
result of local traffic and more specifically that about two
thirds are because of queuing traffic.
Air Quality Action Plan for the AQMA
Following a full public consultation from March to May 2010, the
Action Plan for the Woodbridge AQMA was finalised in February 2011
and has received approval from Defra.
The public consultation was very successful producing a large
number of comments covering the majority of the measures in the
plan. Responses to all consultation replies have been included in
the Action Plan and a number of additional investigations have been
commenced as a result.
Defra had the following comments with regard to the Action Plan
“Overall, it is clear that much work has gone into the
production of the action plan. This is a very good and
comprehensive report and it is believed that the action plan has
every chance of being successful. The Council should be commended
for their efforts in producing this report …”
Follow the links below to view the final and draft versions of
the Action Plan:
Paper copies of the Action Plan are available at the Council’s
offices at Melton Hill, Woodbridge and Undercliff Road West,
Felixstowe.
The Council is required to produce an annual update report
detailing progress on and any changes made to the Action Plan -
this information will be presented in the annual report produced on
air quality for the district.