RESIDENTS and businesses in Felixstowe are being advised of a planned multi-agency radiological response demonstration taking place at Brackenbury Leisure Centre High Road East, Old Felixstowe on Nonday and Tuesday, 5 and 6 October.

The demonstration will bring together emergency services and partner organisations to test how agencies would respond to a radiological incident and, where required, carry out decontamination procedures. The demonstration forms part of routine preparedness work to ensure a coordinated and effective response should a real incident ever occur.

This is a training demonstration only, not a real emergency. There is no risk to the public. No radioactive materials will be used and no action is required from residents.

Set-up activities will take place between 1pm and 5pm on 5 October, with the main demonstration and subsequent clear-up taking place between 8am and 5pm on 6 October 2026. Residents in the surrounding area may notice temporary structures, emergency vehicles and personnel wearing protective clothing throughout the exercise.

Some temporary traffic management arrangements will be in place:

• During this period, Quintons Lane will be closed at its junction with High Road East.
• Temporary traffic signals will be in place and manually controlled at times between 4pm on 5 October and 11.59pm on 6 October 2026. The signals will be located outside Brackenbury Sports Centre, High Road East, Felixstowe, to facilitate a safe lane closure.
• To enable the temporary traffic signals to be installed, the cycle lane on High Road East, outside Brackenbury Sports Centre, will be suspended.
• Pedestrians will be directed by signage, and cyclists should dismount while passing through the area.

Courtney Walsh, Head of The Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit said: "Training and demonstrations such as this are an important part of ensuring that emergency responders and partner organisations maintain the skills, knowledge and capabilities needed to respond effectively to a major incident.

"Bringing agencies together in a realistic environment helps strengthen coordination, build confidence and ensure that established arrangements can be delivered effectively if ever required.

"We would like to reassure residents that this is a planned training demonstration only. While there may be an increased presence of emergency services and personnel in the area, there is no cause for concern and no risk to the public."

The sports centre was earmarked for closure as far back as 2022, when it was deemed as a potential site foir new homes, but it remains open.