Determined opposition to 3rd runway from Ascot area residents badly affected by Heathrow noise
People in Ascot and surrounding areas are bitterly opposed to further expansion of Heathrow, and formed a local group Residents Against Aircraft Noise (RAAN). The area is around 15 miles from Heathrow, and residents are upset and annoyed about the new level of plane noise they are having to endure. Before early 2014 there were virtually no flights to or from Heathrow over the area. Then in August 2014, Heathrow started ‘trials’ without informing anyone and since then the area has been subjected to an enormous amount of noise pollution. People say they have not been able to get proper uninterrupted night’s sleep for almost two years, for most of the time, due to plane noise which only stops for a few hours each night – not enough to get 7 hours sleep, let alone 8 hours of peace. People feel they can no longer enjoy their gardens in summer any more, with planes thundering overhead as often as every 3 minutes. In hot weather, people have to choose between being hot with fresh air, and less plane noise – or being cooler with the windows open, but being woken up. There is anger, in Ascot as in so many areas, that Heathrow is able to “ride roughshod over our peace, homes, business, environment.” The prospect of another runway, making the noise situation even worse, is almost unimaginable. Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), wrote to David Cameron regarding the issues about noise and air pollution at Heathrow.
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Opposition to third Heathrow runway among Ascot area residents remains firm
24.7.2016 (Bracknell News)
Ray Rampton has to put up with aircraft flying over his house as often as every three minutes
THIS man is one of hundreds of Ascot residents who are continuing their stiff opposition to a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Ray Rampton, who lives 15 miles from the international airport and complains that he cannot enjoy his garden in the summer anymore, says he sees aircraft flying over his house as often as every three minutes.
He explained: “We can’t have a window open at night when it’s hot and we now get flights through the night waking us up.
“Heathrow is a fine example of a public service company, but it can’t be allowed to ride roughshod over our peace, homes, business, environment.”
Mr Rampton fears that increased disruption from air traffic would ghettoise the region and make it only fit for industry. The massive increase in noise and air pollution, which we already suffer from in the Ascot area, would be unimaginable,” he added.
Kate Mann, who like Mr Rampton belongs to the campaign group Residents Against Aircraft Noise (RAAN), lives more than ten miles from the airport and believes a third runway would be unbearable.
She said: “When I moved to Sunninghill in 2009, the flights didn’t affect me at all, as we had none. Not a single one.
“Then, in August 2014, Heathrow started ‘trials’ without informing anyone and since that date, we have been subjected to an enormous amount of noise pollution as these flights thunder directly overhead on a daily basis.”
Camille Jeffs chimed in: “I have not had an uninterrupted night’s sleep in practically two years thanks to Heathrow.”
Councillor David Hilton, representing Ascot and Cheapside ward for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), said the council wrote a letter to David Cameron regarding the issues about pollution at the London hub.
The letter warned that if problems were not resolved, RBWM and three other authorities would be seeking a judicial review.
Cllr Hinton said: “It is fundamentally wrong and undemocratic to be making a decision without taking into account the impact on affected people.”
Though the Brexit vote may have kicked any Heathrow proposal into touch, he warned the saga would return to haunt the new Government.
“It is not clear whether pollution around Heathrow would be manageable. The issue will come back,” he continued.
A representative of NATS, which manages air traffic control, stressed that any planned changes to airspace or flight paths would be subject to a full public consultation.
He said: “Regardless of any decision, NATS will continue to work with Heathrow and the airlines to help reduce the number of people who experience aircraft noise through use of regular respite and continuous descent approaches that keep aircraft higher for longer.”
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