RE-ROUTING lorries and scrapping a pedestrian crossing are among a series of measures being considered to tackle pollution hotspots in Ipswich, it emerged today.

RE-ROUTING lorries and scrapping a pedestrian crossing are among a series of measures being considered to tackle pollution hotspots in Ipswich, it emerged today.

Ipswich Borough Council is looking at ways of improving air quality at three hotspot sites across the town flagged up as having high nitrogen dioxide levels.

Worrying levels of the chemical, emitted from car exhausts, has been measured at Chevallier Street at the junction with Norwich Road, St Margaret's Street and the Star Lane gyratory system.

A report into the issue suggests a number of actions can be taken in a bid to alleviate the situation.

These include:

reviewing the crossing at Bramford Road/Chevallier street to reduce congestion at the traffic lights

monitoring lorry routes and coming up with cleaner alternatives

creating a new bus lane along Bishops Hill - to persuade more people to use public transport

constructing electric vehicle charging points across the town to allow easy recharging of environmental motors

encouraging cycling in the town

A total of 20 different ideas for improving congestion and pollution levels have been earmarked and will be looked into further to see which ones are the most viable.

Louise Gooch, who is responsible for environment at Ipswich Borough Council, said the possible solutions are now going out for consultation and said some or all may be implemented to try and tackle the problem.

She added that pollution levels appear to be dropping at the sites and the council is keen to monitor the situation prior to taking action.

“I think the important thing with this consultation is that these different actions that have come out will be tested to see which ones have the best effect and most impact on promoting air quality,” she said.

Sandy Martin, Labour's environment spokesman said action to alleviate pollution should be taken now rather then further down the line.

He said: “We want to see some positive action.

“They (the council) are now talking about investigating the possibility of various actions but are not putting any money into developing any of those actions.”

Are you concerned about pollution in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Nitrogen dioxide is a substance that can decrease lung function and increase the risk of respiratory problems, particularly in children.

Short-term exposure to the substance at peak levels can increase respiratory allergic reactions.