What do you think is the answer to Ipswich's air pollution problems?

Can the air be made cleaner in the worst affected areas of the town - and what action needs to be taken? Is air pollution affecting your health, and did you know how high the levels are or which areas are affected?

A campaign has been launched by this newspaper in collaboration with Ipswich Town Football Club and environmental group Ipswich CAN in an effort to tackle the town's high levels of air pollution. 

'Town CAN' seeks to promote awareness and encourage action from both local authorities and Ipswich residents. 

It comes as after it was revealed that more than 38,000 residents are living within 500m of areas with air pollution levels above the national target.

Government modelling also predicts that around 65 people across Ipswich die from illnesses related to poor air quality every year.

Four AQMA zones have been declared by Ipswich Borough Council:

  • An area encompassing the junction of Norwich Road, Chevalier Street and Valley Road in Ipswich.
  • 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.
  • An area encompassing the junction Grimwade Street with St Helens Street, the Starr Lane gyratory system including Fore Street, Salthouse Street, Key Street, College Street, Bridge Street, Foundation Street, Slade Street, Neptune square and Grimwade Street.
  • An area incorporating the land in or around St. Matthews Street / Norwich Road between the Civic Drive roundabout and Bramford Road.

We want to hear our readers' thoughts on this issue and hear what you believe can be done to help make our town a safer and cleaner place to live.