New flight path maps from 2M, for 3rd and 4th Heathrow runways, show huge areas and up to 3 million people affected by noise
The 2M group, which represents some 24 local councils and between them some 3 million people, have released likely flight path maps for 3rd and 4th Heathrow runways. 2M estimate that while some 1 million people are affected by Heathrow noise at present, with 2 more runways, that would rise to 3 million people. Their indicative flight paths for arrivals and departures show the large areas which would be affected by aircraft noise if a northern and a southern runway were to be built . The approach across London to a northern runway would cover Mayfair, Belgravia, Sloane Square, South Kensington, Earl’s Court, West Kensington, Hammersmith, Chiswick and Brent. That would include all these parks (which cannot be soundproofed): Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens. The areas which would be affected by approaches to a southern runway would be Streatham, Balham, Tooting, Wandsworth Common, Earlsfield, Southfields, Putney Heath, Roehampton, Richmond Park, Richmond town centre, Isleworth, Hounslow Heath and Bedfont. The leader of Wandsworth Council commenting on blighting the lives of 3 million people and spoiling the quiet enjoyment of huge parts of London: “The price is far too high and the benefits far from certain.” This will definitely be a key political issue at the next election.
.
Heathrow noise ‘to blight live of millions more Londoners’
2.4.2013 (Evening Standard)
by Nicholas Cecil
Two million more people will have their lives blighted by aircraft noise if Heathrow is allowed to expand to a four-runway airport, it was claimed today.
Huge swathes of west, central and south London risk being affected by a bigger Heathrow as well as north Surrey, east Berkshire and south Buckinghamshire, said a group representing 24 councils.
It says that the “quiet enjoyment” of some of the most treasured green spaces in London, including royal parks, would be spoiled by the noise.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: “These figures reveal the true horror of Heathrow expansion. We should be looking to cut these numbers, not increase them, which is why we need a new airport to support the country’s growth without making life miserable for millions.”
The alarming forecast was issued by the 2M Group, which includes 24 local councils including 19 in London. It comes days after it emerged that Heathrow chiefs are examining options for four runways and marks a dramatic escalation in the battle over Heathrow’s future.
Hitting back, Heathrow accused the 2M Group of “scaremongering” and denied that a bigger airport would create noise disturbance on the scale claimed.
But the row is set to become a general election issue for London despite David Cameron delaying a final decision on airport expansion until after May 2015. The 2M Group today published a series of noise contour maps of how airport expansion could affect the capital and surrounding counties.
The campaign alliance claimed the homes of three million people — rather than one million now — face being threatened by aircraft noise if Heathrow gets two more runways. Its prediction of a four-runway Heathrow shows:
The arrival flightpath for a third runway, north of the existing landing strips, is expected to create significant noise in parts of Mayfair, Belgravia, Sloane Square, South Kensington, Earl’s Court, West Kensington, Hammersmith, Chiswick and Brent.
Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens are set to be directly affected by planes coming in to land.
The arrival flightpath for a fourth runway, to the south at the airport, is predicted to have an impact on parts of Streatham, Balham, Tooting, Wandsworth Common, Earlsfield, Southfields, Putney Heath, Roehampton, Richmond Park, Richmond town centre, Isleworth, Hounslow Heath and Bedfont.
Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common and Richmond Park would also suffer aircraft noise disturbance.
Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth council and 2M Group spokesman, said: “A four-runway Heathrow could blight the lives of three million people and spoil the quiet enjoyment of huge parts of our city. The price is far too high and the benefits far from certain.”
Heathrow bosses recently stepped up their campaign for a third runway by arguing that forecast for flights may have been over-estimated so a fourth runway may not be needed.
They have also increased their lobbying of MPs. But their submission to the Davies Commission into Britain’s airport needs may include options for a four-runway solution.
They could be for four-runways to the west of the airport or extending the two existing runways to, in effect, make four — proposals which would have different noise contours that those drawn up by the 2M Group.
A Heathrow spokesman said: “We are examining a number of options, all of which result in significantly less noise for local residents than the 2M Group’s scaremongering. We’ll submit our preferred options to the Airports Commission in the summer.
“We know aircraft noise can disturb people living under the flight path which is why we encourage airlines to fly only their quietest aircraft at Heathrow. We also offer insulation to local residents and are working with noise campaigners to give residents respite from early morning noise.”
Airport, airline and business chiefs, as well as some MPs, have warned Britain risks falling behind as a global trading nation if its air links are not improved. But campaigners against Heathrow expansion have repeatedly warned that if it is granted a third runway it will want to expand further.
The Davies Commission is due to publish a shortlist this year of viable airport expansion schemes after analysing plans for more runways at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, a Thames Estuary airport, and other options.
Your say:
Simon Buchanan, 34, businessman from Kensington: “If we don’t build another runway or two and they do in Paris or Berlin, the loss could be substantial. Having said that, I would be very sad if I came to the park and there was much more noise.”
Emily Jones, 23, South Kensington: “I really like coming to Kensington Gardens because you can’t hear the noise from the outside. I like to get away from it all and come here so it would be a shame if it becomes noisy.”
Daniel Pasquali, 29, nutritionist from Italy but now living in Vauxhall: “More runways would definitely be bad for pollution. In London there are a lot of parks and more aeroplanes would mean more noise pollution and emissions. Heathrow doesn’t need to be expanded.”
Di Wildblood, 52, full-time mother, Fulham: “I don’t think people who live outside Fulham or other places that are badly affected understand the amount of noise. I would go with Boris Johnson’s plan for the Thames Estuary or expanding Stansted.”
Ben Coppin, 34, recruitment consultant, Camden: “I don’t know what sort of difference or impact this would make. Having said that, lots of noise would frustrate me if I was using the park often. It is, and should be, a bit of peace in London.”
Two comments:
The issue we are facing is that Heathrow can not insulate Parks, playgrounds, sports grounds etc – the scandal is they keep spouting that they insulate homes but not many and as i say not outside or perish the thought you would want to open your own window! 200,000 kids are unable to play and be heard outside and its now clear that health implications and the level of noise that will be generated will be so high – given 45% of London population will be damaged – its just not credible to talk about not living near the airport anymore. Its also clear that there are some very real health implications both from aviation pollution and associated traffic – ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
* * * * *
So Heathrow bosses have also increased their lobbying of MPs? MP’s should remember they were elected by residents who are effected by the noise and pollution and not by Heathrow Airports tax avoiding Spanish bosses.
By contrast, the map from 2M showing flight paths from a northern Heathrow runway
Arrivals (top map) and Departures (bottom map)
2M says:
The maps above were not definitive but were used to provide an indication of likely routes for flight paths serving any new runway.
The top map shows current and projected flight paths for aircraft arriving at Heathrow and the bottom shows departures.
http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200143/2m_group/450/the_2m_group_against_heathrow_expansion/5
.
.
Press release from the 2M group:
Areas facing new flightpath threat revealed
2.4.2013
More than 3million people could be forced to live with aircraft noise pollution if Heathrow is allowed to develop into a four runway airport, according to the all-party 2M Group.
The campaign alliance, which includes more than 20 local councils, has produced ‘noise contour maps’ highlighting the areas which could be affected by flightpaths serving a third and fourth runway.
The maps show a four runway Heathrow could blight vast areas of central, west and south London with noise pollution.
North Surrey, east Berkshire and south Buckinghamshire could also be under the new flightpaths.
Hyde Park, Regents Park, St James Park and Kensington Gardens would be directly affected by the arrival flightpath for ‘runway 3’.
Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common and Richmond Park would all suffer from the arrival route for ‘runway 4’.
The noise from planes landing and taking off from all four runways would impact the homes of around 3million people.
Planes start arriving at Heathrow at 4.30 in the morning everyday, causing loss of sleep and distress to households under the flightpaths.
Leader of Wandsworth Council and spokesman for the 2M Group, Ravi Govindia, said:
“A four runway Heathrow could blight the lives of 3million people and spoil the quiet enjoyment of huge parts of our city. The price is far too high and the benefits are far from certain.
“Heathrow is in the worst location in the country for a major airport and the Government should focus the search for new runway sites on viable settings where the impacts are less severe.”[Pity this press release assumes that airport expansion is needed. It’s not. Local authorities leave themselves open to accusations of nimbyism if they are simply calling for airport expansion to happen elsewhere. And because they appear to be supporting the need for expansion, it could increase the chances it winds up where they don’t want it. AW].
The 2M group has consistently warned that Heathrow will not stop expanding if granted a third landing strip. Its main European rivals have four or more runways.
Charles de Gaulle, Heathrow’s nearest rival, has four runways. Frankfurt and Barajas (Madrid) also have four and Schiphol (Amsterdam) has six.
Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd (formerly BAA) is owned by Alinda Capital Partners, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, CIC International, Ferrovial Group, GIC Special Investments and Qatar Holdings.
Wandsworth Council is a founder member of the 2M group. This is an all-party alliance of more than 20 local authorities concerned at the environmental impact of Heathrow expansion on their communities.
The 2M maps show areas of London and the south of England which could be affected by aircraft noise from a four runway Heathrow. The areas with darker shading would experience a higher volume of arriving and departing flights.