Suffolk County Council has revealed proposals to publish a new strategy and action plan to tackle air pollution in Ipswich.
The news comes it was revealed that more than 38,000 residents are living within 500m of areas with air pollution levels above the national target - with government modelling also predicting that around 65 people across Ipswich die from illnesses related to poor air quality every year.
"Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK," said councillor Paul West, cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding.
"Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause and exacerbate chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer, leading to reduced life expectancy.
"In the coming weeks, the Suffolk County Council Air Quality Strategy and action plan will be published, which highlights the actions the council and partners are taking to improve air quality.
"Progress against this will be monitored and updated regularly."
On Tuesday, this newspaper announced it would be joining Ipswich Town Football Club and action group Ipswich CAN (Clean Air Now) in launching a campaign to tackle air pollution.
'Town CAN' seeks to raise awareness of issues caused by poor air quality in the town and encourage positive behavioural changes to counteract it.
It follows a survey launched by the County Council in October which sought to measure current levels of understanding about air quality and work going on in the area to mitigate its impact.
"I would like to thank everyone who took part in the Air Quality Survey in the autumn," added Mr West.
"The results of the survey will help to inform our future approaches to improving air quality in Ipswich.
“Suffolk County Council is continuing to work closely with partners across the system to address this vital issue.
"System partners have agreed to scope and explore a Suffolk air quality network, to facilitate increased collaboration across the system and improve engagement with local communities.
“A report will also be taken to the Health and Wellbeing Board in March, where the survey results, progress so far and next steps will be discussed with partners.”
You can have your say on air pollution in Ipswich here.
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