SHIPPING and traffic using Britain's biggest container terminal have today been identified as a potential pollution threat for thousands of people living in a busy seaside resort.

SHIPPING and traffic using Britain's biggest container terminal have today been identified as a potential pollution threat for thousands of people living in a busy seaside resort.

Studies reveal activities at the Port of Felixstowe could cause future problems - especially if its multi-million pound redevelopment project, expected to generate a further million lorry movements a year, gets the go-ahead.

Bathside Bay at Harwich - where a new deepwater container terminal may be built - could also add to the pollution at the resort.

Experts at Suffolk Coastal council have also identified the busy junction of Lime Kiln Quay Road, The Thoroughfare and St John's Street in Woodbridge as an area at risk of exceeding the allowed level of nitrogen dioxide emissions due to the heavy traffic volume of the area.

The pollution at Felixstowe is already causing concern, with people worried about the smoke pumped out by ships visiting the terminal.

Town and district councillor Ann Rodwell said: "You only have to watch the ships leave the port to see the clouds of black acrid smoke which keep pouring out of their funnels until they get to the Bawdsey buoy.

"It lingers in the air a long, long while and you have to ask yourself what damage it is doing to the environment, the air quality and to the people who live in this area."

The council has highlighted emissions of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter at the port and further studies will take place to keep an eye on the situation.

The latest findings are part of an assessment carried out by the council to identify areas where pollution needs to be reduced to ensure it meets government targets.

Cabinet member for the environment Andrew Nunn said: "National policies on air pollution are expected to deliver a significant improvement in air quality throughout the country, while recognising there are things that can be done locally as well which is where our investigations come in.

"The Detailed Assessment confirms that the air quality in this district is as good as you would expect, with just two locations identified which require further monitoring."

It is inviting residents to comment on the air quality findings by August 31 by viewing the report at www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/envhelth/airquality.html or at its Melton Hill offices in Woodbridge, the Undercliff Road West offices in Felixstowe, all libraries within the Suffolk Coastal district and at Halesworth library.