Reports into three pockets of pollution in a Suffolk district are going up for examination by members of the public after being endorsed by the Government.

Local people will be asked to have their say on a report into overall air quality in the Suffolk Coastal district, and into three specific areas of historic concern.

One of the documents, the district council’s Updating and Screening Assessment Report, is produced every three years and looks at air quality across the entire district, with interim reports produced during intervening years.

Carol Poulter, the council’s head of green environment, said the report confirmed air quality remained generally good across the district, with the exception of the three declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in Felixstowe, Woodbridge, and on the A12 at Stratford St Andrew.

“The problem in all three areas relates to the pollutant nitrogen dioxide which is an irritant of the respiratory system and can adversely affect people’s health – particularly those who, for example, have existing heart or lung conditions or breathing problems,” she added.

“The good news is that our monitoring reveals that the nitrogen dioxide levels within the AQMA declared at Felixstowe have reduced, and continue to now be below the levels set by the Government.

“Similarly, nitrogen dioxide levels in Woodbridge have also reduced slightly in the last year”

“Levels within the AQMAs at Woodbridge and Stratford are still either at, or above the acceptable levels set by Government, so work does need to continue at these locations.”

The second report, a Further Assessment for the AQMA at Stratford St Andrew, identifies the sources of emissions and provides information on possible solutions to reduce emissions.

The report is designed to help the council draw up a draft ‘action plan’ for the area.

The first report can be found at suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/assets/Documents/District/Air-quality/USA-Report-2015.pdf. The second can be found at suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/assets/Documents/District/Air-quality/Stratford-St-Andrew-Further-Assessment-Report.pdf

Alternatively, paper copies are available at the Melton Hill council offices for viewing, or to borrow short term if requested.

Additional information regarding the consultation can be seen at suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/envprotection/airquality.

The council is seeking comments on both reports, along with ideas for the draft action plan being drawn up for Stratford St Andrew in the near future.

Comments can be emailed to environment@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk, or sent to Environmental Protection at the Council’s Offices, Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU.

The council said it may not be able to reply directly to every consultation response, but that all comments received will be taken into account.

The final date for return of comments on the reports is Friday, April 29.