ACTION is set to be taken to improve air quality around the outskirts of Britain’s busiest port.

The measures are to be taken to deal with high levels of nitrogen dioxide on the roads leading in and out of dock gate two, container parks and haulage yards at Felixstowe.

Suffolk Coastal’s air quality team has been monitoring the area of the Dooley Inn, Ferry Lane, and investigating – and working with the port – for two years on creating an action plan to deal with the problem.

Andrew Nunn, council cabinet member for the green environment, said: “I would thank all those who gave us suggestions as to who we could take action and also the Port of Felixstowe for all their efforts to work with us.

“From a list of 26 possible options that have been fully investigated in relation to air quality impact, cost and feasibility, we now have a draft action plan with 13 measures recommended for implementation.

“However, this is still a draft and we now want to hear from businesses, the public and others before it is finalised. Local residents and stakeholders helped us produce a robust plan of action and we are hoping for another positive response this time.”

The port has already invested in new engine technology for its gantry cranes, which use 40 per cent less fuel, fitting retro-fuel saving controls to older cranes which will use 25 per cent less fuel and introducing a vehicle booking system to manage access to the port by container lorries.

The draft action plan can be seen on the council’s website at www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/envprotection/airquality or at its offices at Melton Hill, Woodbridge and Undercliff Road West, Felixstowe.

Comments must be made by June 6.