Campaigners have penned an open letter to councillors calling for them to "prioritise and improve the health and wellbeing" of Ipswich residents - as the town continues to face illegal levels of air pollution.

More than 38,000 people are currently living within 500 metres of areas with air pollution above the national target, with government modelling also predicting around 65 Ipswich residents a year die from illnesses related to poor air quality.

Ipswich Star: The logo for the 'Town CAN' campaignThe logo for the 'Town CAN' campaign (Image: Ipswich Town Football Club)

In January, Tony Horner and Chris Armstrong of Ipswich CAN (Clean Air Now) joined Ipswich Town Football Club and this newspaper in launching the 'Town CAN' campaign - a joint effort to combat and raise awareness of the issue.

Now, Mr Horner and Armstrong have penned an open letter to authorities to join them in their fight. 

Open letter:

"In January 2022, your air pollution seminar to Suffolk’s councillors and local authority officers made clear the illegal levels of air pollution in Ipswich, the appalling impact on the health of over 38,000 Ipswich residents, plus people who work or travel through Ipswich, and your legal obligations to reduce pollution levels.

Ipswich Star: Chris Armstrong (left) and Tony Horner (right) of Ipswich CANChris Armstrong (left) and Tony Horner (right) of Ipswich CAN (Image: William Warnes)

"This year we will be continuing our campaign to reduce air pollution in Ipswich, together with partners such as Ipswich Town Football Club and the Ipswich Star.

"We aim to inform people about the health issues and practical solutions being implemented in towns across the UK.

"We aim to make our campaign informative and constructive.

"We will be highlighting the actions the people who live, work or travel through Ipswich can take but the appalling levels of pollution can only be reduced by coherent and coordinated action by both Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council. 

Ipswich Star: Ipswich currently has levels of air pollution above the legal limitIpswich currently has levels of air pollution above the legal limit (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

"This will require political will and leadership.

"We invite you to collaborate with us to prioritise and improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Ipswich.

We look forward to hearing from you."

Suffolk County Council said last month that work is currently being carried out on a new strategy and action plan to tackle air pollution in Ipswich and it is hoped to publish this soon.