Co-signed letter: Matthew Hicks, Leader Suffolk County Council, sent 15th February 2021
See correspondence below;
Mr Hicks response, 12 March
Women’s Institute, reminder 11th March
Cycle Ipswich reminder 4th March
Original letter, 15th February
Mr Hicks response, 12th March
Dear all
Thank you for your emails regarding illegal air pollution in Ipswich. The County Council supports the District Council by fulfilling the requirements of the Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance and Part IV of the Environment Act (1995). I wanted to provide you with an overview on how the Council supports the district and borough councils across Suffolk to identify address and improve air quality across the county:
Proactively engage with district and borough councils once an Air Quality (AQ) issue is identified
Support & have input into district and borough councils action plans in relation to AQ issues
Address any transport impacts and have inclusion into district and borough councils action plans
To make any recommendations to the district and borough councils in relation to their action plans
Actively engage in all stages of review, assessment and action planning in relation to any Local Air Quality Management Areas
Specific Examples include:
The development of a Suffolk Air Quality profile. This will provide an overview of Air Quality across the county and a summary of current evidence of effective measures to improve this.
The Ipswich Borough Council AQ steering group members – reviewing and making transport related recommendations on the source apportionment study of transport in the borough and recommendations for the action plan (now adopted).
Recommendations for the provision of infrastructure in new developments that encourage and enable the uptake of low carbon transport – such as walking, cycling, electric vehicle charging and passenger transport provision.
The countywide AQ group has collaboratively produced an Anti-Idling Campaign with a range of free resources for schools to use, this has been delivered successfully across the County and will continue to be delivered, with the support of SCC Road Safety Officers and the Junior Road Safety Officer scheme.
Securing Travel Plans for new developments and the production of guidance for developers and Local Planning Authorities to ensure high quality plans and consistency across the county. One development in Ipswich won the first ever residential travel plan award in the country https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news/show/suffolk-schools-and-businesses-scoop-national-sustainable-travel-awards, currently running the ‘Let’s make a change for the future’ campaign to embed the uptake of walking & cycling that was made during the summer of 2020.
Providing information to district councils about how SCC has contributed to the delivery of their AQ Action Plans on an annual basis, this is a combination of
soft measures (eg over 3000 school pupils undertaking level 1 & 2 Bikeability courses) or
harder measures (eg facilitating trials of electric car charging using our streetlights in Bury St Edmunds, moving a pedestrian crossing in Gt Barton and extending a speed limit at Farnham).
Ensuring that our Parking Guidance supports the opportunity to provide EV charging in new developments, to assist with future proofing them and facilitating the uptake of EVs.
Securing and delivering significant capital funding to retrofit buses operating in the Ipswich area to reduce tailpipe emissions.
Provide a challenging and robust response to Local Plans, to ensure that development is allocated in a manner that supports sustainable communities and does not lead to the emergence of car dependent developments.
Respond and feedback on national guidance and consultations as appropriate
Writing a mitigation strategy for the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area to accommodate development and economic growth without a detrimental impact on the highway network.
Air Quality is also an integral part of the Suffolk Climate Change Emergency Action Plan work, commissioned by the Suffolk Public Leaders Network. This work has included specific modelling to show what impact the measures recommended in the emergency action plan will have on the air quality across Suffolk. A workshop focused on ‘transport and air quality’ was held at the end of 2020 and brought together local stakeholders working in this area. The collective thoughts from this workshop will feed into the final report and recommendations.
Suffolk County Council is already leading the way in this area without government direction; by piloting the Plug in Suffolk scheme with a local industry leading chargepoint supplier to enable pay as you go charging across the county and through the requirement to provide ducting for EV charging in the guidance for developers on new developments.
The Council continues to provide a wide range of support direct to schools regarding traffic management around schools, predominantly through the services of the Road Safety Team. In reviewing the impact of the proposed changes to school transport a full review and update of the Sustainable Modes of Travel to School Strategy has been undertaken and a range of additional resources and advice has been produced to support parents, carers and students on their travel choices. This information is available at https://www.suffolkonboard.com/school-travel/
The Road Safety and Travel Plan Teams undertake the following;
providing Bikeability Level 1 & 2 training to over 3000 pupils every year
educating children in pedestrian skills with the Junior Road Safety Officer scheme
promoting walk to school initiatives, such as Walk to School Week
providing 65 school crossing patrols at the busiest crossing sites on the road network for 100s of unaccompanied children
where parents and carers drive children to school, promoting anti-idling initiatives as part of Clean Air campaigns in conjunction with the Environmental Health Teams in the district and borough councils and the Travel Plan Officers in the county council
All state schools (and many independent schools) have travel plans, although most were produced between 2004 and 2011, the plans analyse problems on school routes and at school entrances and include ideas to reduce travel by car.
Kind regards
Matthew
Reminder from Women’s Institute, 11th March
Dear Councillor Hicks,
We are writing to request a response to the email sent to you on 15 February 2021 and followed up on 4 March 2021.
In the EADT on 2 March 2021 James Reeder, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for public health, said: "Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk in the UK, and we take it seriously.”
Your lack of response would suggest that this is not a matter being taken seriously by Suffolk County Council. How many of our children will have to have air pollution as a cause of their deaths before it is taken seriously?
Suffolk County Council acknowledged the illegal air pollution in Ipswich in 2008 however, 13 years later, both Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council have yet to take action that has reduced the levels.
There is plenty we can all do to help ourselves, yet you keep the subject a secret. To know and not tell is a terrible legacy.
We are not alone with our frustration in the lack of urgency given by Suffolk County Council to this issue and appeal to you to take action before it is too late.
We continue to await your response
Emma Ruddy
On behalf of
Women’s Institute – Ipswich (Cake and Revolution), a local group with a mission to bring all that the WI should be & more, to local women….all in the hope that we can strive to make a difference in our local Community!
Ipswich Citizens Advice, a local charity providing free, impartial & confidential advice on rights & responsibilities.
Woodbridge Road Pharmacy, NHS Community Pharmacy and full-service Travel Clinic serving the people of Ipswich.
Cycle Ipswich, a cycle campaigning group for the Greater Ipswich area, aiming to get improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure, such as protected cycle tracks and quieter neighbourhoods.
Charles Stanley Wealth Managers, providing financial advice to its wide cliental.
Dove Pub Inn, multi award winning freehouse including Great British Pub Awards Cask Ale Pub of the Year 2013.
Grazing Sheep Café, serving award winning breakfasts, lunch, brunch and coffee overlooking the idyllic Ipswich marina.
Start! Moving Ipswich, an environmental and traffic think tank.
Ipswich Friends of the Earth part of a movement creating a safer climate, flourishing nature, and healthy air, water and food, now and for future generations. Campaigning for change in our community to make a difference to the environment locally, nationally, and globally.
Ipswich CAN campaigning for legal air in Ipswich.
Reminder from Cycle Ipswich, 4th March
Dear Councillor Hicks,
You may recall that a group of organisations, including Cycle Ipswich, of which I am a member, wrote to you and to Councillor Ellesmere of Ipswich Borough Council urging you to get together and take action to combat the air pollution problems in Ipswich. We appreciate that making good progress in reducing air pollution will involve a wide range of actions, including some that are Borough responsibilities, such as air quality monitoring, planning and building control and others that fall within a county remit, such as highways and public health. Of course there are many other things that need to be done by businesses and individuals as well. This is why we are urging you to do the following:
Inform and advise people of the situation and of steps they can take;
Formulate a clear and actionable plan in conjunction with IBC, other District Councils and others, as required by law - this should show a clear and measurable path to safe and legal air quality;
Implement the plan, giving priority to the actions with greatest impact;
Engage with and involve the community in the above steps;
Review all current spending, plans and strategies to ensure that these do not conflict with the objective of reducing air pollution;
Lobby central government for funding and supporting action;
Continually review progress and take action as necessary if the anticipated progress is not forthcoming.
Whilst we appreciate that there are many pressures on local government at present, we would suggest that the imperative to plan for recovery after the current respiratory pandemic offers a golden opportunity to take bold actions to reduce illegal and lethal air pollution.
We would much appreciate the chance to discuss this matter with you and your colleagues and stand ready to offer whatever help we can to make sure that this happens.
Kind regards,
Leo Borwick, on behalf of:
Women’s Institute – Ipswich (Cake and Revolution), a local group with a mission to bring all that the WI should be & more, to local women….all in the hope that we can strive to make a difference in our local Community!
Ipswich Citizens Advice, a local charity providing free, impartial & confidential advice on rights & responsibilities.
Woodbridge Road Pharmacy, NHS Community Pharmacy and full-service Travel Clinic serving the people of Ipswich.
Cycle Ipswich, a cycle campaigning group for the Greater Ipswich area, aiming to get improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure, such as protected cycle tracks and quieter neighbourhoods.
Charles Stanley Wealth Managers, providing financial advice to its wide cliental.
Dove Pub Inn, multi award winning freehouse including Great British Pub Awards Cask Ale Pub of the Year 2013.
Grazing Sheep Café, serving award winning breakfasts, lunch, brunch and coffee overlooking the idyllic Ipswich marina.
Start! Moving Ipswich, an environmental and traffic think tank.
Ipswich Friends of the Earth part of a movement creating a safer climate, flourishing nature, and healthy air, water and food, now and for future generations. Campaigning for change in our community to make a difference to the environment locally, nationally, and globally.
Ipswich CAN campaigning for legal air in Ipswich.
Original email sent 15th February 2021
Dear Mr Hicks,
We are writing, as a community of groups supporting Ipswich clean air, urging you to provide leadership and take the actions below.
Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) tell us that air pollution is the leading environmental risk to human health and that this is a particular threat to vulnerable groups including the elderly, the very young and those with existing health issues and that see this as high priority for further and tighter legislation.
Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) and Suffolk County Council (SCC) tell us that at least 63 Ipswich people die each year from air pollution and many more suffer serious brain, heart and lung diseases.
Public Health England (PHE) tell us that people with existing health conditions are more vulnerable to the horrors of Covid 19.
People are demanding that in 2021 we move forward with a fair and green recovery from Covid 19.
IBC and SCC noted illegal Ipswich air pollution in your 2008 Air Quality Action Plan but have failed to reduce pollution for 13 years despite being required to do so by legislation. Freedom of Information Request has confirmed you have no plan to do so during 2021.
In a landmark ruling Coroner said 9-year-old “Ella Kissi-Debrah died of asthma contributed to by exposure to excessive and illegal air pollution.” He also said "There was also a lack of information given to Ella's mother that possibly contributed to her death." Ella’s mum said “If only I’d known” . https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/girls-death-contributed-to-by-air-pollution-coroner-rules-in-landmark-case
In an evidence-based report PHE tell us how to permanently reduce air pollution Review of interventions and other towns and cities are taking these actions.
We understand there are significant challenges. However, with courage and leadership you can help protect the people you serve and start to build a wonderful healthy and prosperous town that people love to work, visit and live in.
We offer you collaboration and support, in return for your leadership and urgency.
We urge you to;
Inform and Advise. Quickly start a sustained communications campaign telling the truth about air pollution, its health impacts, what we can do to help, and your plans for local authority action. This will help to change our behaviour and help ourselves to reduce pollution and reduce the unnecessary deaths and suffering whilst you take the lead on key local authority interventions. This should not require large budget and will start the process of saving lives. Engage with local media, IBC, Suffolk’s Director of Public Health and community groups.
Plan for legal air. In line with legislation submit your measures within 90 days - related to local transport, highways and public health - so that you can produce the IBC/SCC combined holistic air quality action plan to deliver legal air and meet government targets. Clearly, as 80% of roadside pollution is due to vehicles, the focus should be on reducing vehicles in town and providing alternative transport options.
Deliver legal air. Implement the highest impact actions.
Engage with the community for transparency, input and feedback throughout the planning, implementation and review stages.
Review all current spending, plans and strategies to ensure that these do not conflict with the objective of reducing air pollution.
Lobby HMG for further funds and support SCC in their lobbying of HMG to ensure that air pollution is quickly and permanently lowered.
Continuously review the effectiveness of the air quality plan, modifying and re-thinking if actual impact does not meet predicted impact.
Now more than ever, you must lead and take action.