Practical Information for Suffolk Residents
Essential local information and resources for living in Suffolk.
Emergency & Important Contacts
Emergency Services
- Emergency Services: 999
- Non-emergency Police: 101
- NHS Non-emergency: 111
- Coastguard Emergency: 999
- Anti-Terrorism Hotline: 0800 789 321
- Missing Persons: 116 000
Suffolk County Council
- Customer Service: 0345 606 6067
- Social Services: 0345 606 6167
- Highways Issues: 0345 606 6171
- Adult Social Care: 0800 917 1109
- Children's Services: 0808 800 4005
- www.suffolk.gov.uk
Utilities
- UK Power Networks: 0800 31 63 105
- Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999
- Anglian Water: 03457 145 145
- Essex & Suffolk Water: 0345 782 0999
- Water Leaks: 0800 771 881
- Flood Line: 0345 988 1188
Healthcare Services
Hospitals
- Ipswich Hospital: 01473 712233
- West Suffolk Hospital: 01284 713000
- James Paget Hospital: 01493 452452
Mental Health Services
- Crisis Team: 0808 196 3494
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Wellbeing Suffolk: 0300 123 1503
Dental Services
- Emergency Dental: 0300 123 3399
- NHS Dentist Finder: 111
Waste & Recycling
Collection Services
- Check your collection day on your local council website
- Report missed collections: 0345 606 6067
- Order new bins: Visit your district council website
- Bulky waste collection: Book through your local council
Recycling Centres
- Find your nearest recycling centre on Suffolk Recycling website
- Opening times: Usually 9am-5pm (summer) / 9am-4pm (winter)
- Vehicle permits may be required for vans/trailers
School Term Dates & Education
2024/25 Term Dates
- Autumn Term: 2 September - 20 December 2024
- Spring Term: 6 January - 4 April 2025
- Summer Term: 22 April - 23 July 2025
- View full calendar
Education Contacts
- School Admissions: 0345 600 0981
- School Transport: 0345 606 6173
- Education Welfare: 01473 265364
Public Transport
Bus Services
- First Buses: 0345 646 0707
- Ipswich Buses: 0800 919 390
- Suffolk On Board
Train Services
- Greater Anglia: 0345 600 7245
- National Rail Enquiries: 03457 48 49 50
- Train Times & Tickets
Housing & Council Services
Housing Services
- Housing Benefits: Contact your local council
- Homelessness Support: 0800 066 2480
- Council Tax Enquiries: Contact your district council
Planning & Building Control
- Planning Applications: Submit through your local council website
- Building Control: Contact your local council
- Planning Enforcement: Report issues to your district council
Utilities & Services
Power & Gas
- Power Cut: 105
- Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999
- Energy Advice: 0800 444 202
Water Services
- Anglian Water: 03457 145 145
- Essex & Suffolk Water: 0345 782 0999
- Water Quality: 0345 714 5145
Community Resources
Local Support
- Citizens Advice Suffolk: 0800 068 3131
- Age UK Suffolk: 01473 351234
- Suffolk Family Carers: 01473 835477
Libraries
- Suffolk Libraries: 01473 351249
- Mobile Library Service: Check online for routes
- Library Services Website
District & Borough Councils
Contact details for local billing, planning, waste and community services. Use official sites for latest service changes and service disruption notices.
Environment & Coastal Conditions
Tide & River Info
- Tide Times Tool
- Environment Agency River Levels
- Storm Surge Warnings (Met Office / EA)
Weather & Alerts
- Met Office Warnings Map
- UV Index (summer) & Frost Risk (winter)
- Air Quality (Defra AQI)
Flood & Coastal Safety
- EA Floodline: 0345 988 1188
- Report blocked drains: Council Highways
- Beach safety: Call 999 for Coastguard
Travel & Roads
Road Status
- Planned roadworks (One Network)
- Orwell Bridge wind closures (Highways)
- Gritting routes (winter)
Public Transport Tools
- Bus disruption notices (Suffolk On Board)
- Live rail departures (Greater Anglia)
- Community transport schemes
Cycling & Active Travel
- National Cycle Route 1 segments
- Local rights of way reporting
- Bike hire & repair hubs (town centres)
Digital & Connectivity
Broadband
- Superfast availability (Openreach checker)
- Project Gigabit rollout (gov.uk)
- Community fibre schemes
Mobile Coverage
- Ofcom coverage maps (4G / 5G)
- Report not-spots to provider
- Emergency roaming (999 calls)
Digital Safety
- Report scams (Action Fraud)
- Cyber Essentials advice (NCSC)
- Parent online safety hubs
Money & Cost of Living Support
Household Support
- Warm spaces (winter initiatives)
- Energy bill support schemes
- Fuel poverty advice lines
Council Tax & Benefits
- Single occupant discount (apply via council)
- Housing benefit & CTR guidance
Financial Advice
- Citizens Advice budgeting help
- Debt charity helplines (StepChange)
- Local credit union access
This page aggregates public reference data (council published contacts, utility emergency numbers, national services). Always confirm time-sensitive details (closures, disruptions) with official sources.
Last updated: 2025-10-05