Fresh noise fears over flight path plans

11.09.51am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Apr 2007

Fresh concern has been voiced by Richmond Council following the spectre of increase aircraft noise over the borough.

National Air Traffic Services (Nats) are currently drawing up plans for new flight paths to allow for extra arrivals and departures at Heathrow. The Government is not planning to hold public inquiries on the flight path changes, which are expected to come into force by 2009. Nats claim that they have a legal obligation to provide enough capacity to meet airlines' expansion plans, and that growth is needed because more and more people want to fly.

This week, the Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Serge Lourie, speaking on behalf of the 2M Group of local authorities fighting airport expansion, said:

"These new flight paths are being introduced so as to squeeze yet more flights into Heathrow, regardless of the environmental consequences and damage to communities. With this relentless growth, more and more residents throughout west London and further afield will be affected by noise misery and their quality of life further eroded. Our view is that expansion has already gone too far and that enough is enough. We will keep up the pressure on the Government via the 2M Group to keep Heathrow development in check and to spell out the full environmental consequences of their schemes."