New Forest flight path plan attacked
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southern England’s finest countryside. Critics say the creation of new air corridors
to ease flight congestion to the west of London will inevitably mean more aircraft
overhead. The North Wessex Downs and the Cotswolds – both designated Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – and the New Forest National Park will all
be affected if the expansion plan is approved.
by the proposed airspace changes time to express their views ended on August 10.
But opponents say the majority of people don’t even know about the plans. “The
first they will know about is when they see and hear the planes overhead,” said
one.
was turned down. The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) which provides air
traffic control services, says it needs an increase in airspace to reduce the
level of delays in flights.
of Bournemouth and Southampton airports so that flights going north will take
a different route to those going south.
the Wessex Downs and the New Forest to 6.500-feet. Currently used mainly by the
military, it would also allow commercial night flights between 5.30pm and 9.30am..
Berkshire of east-west traffic to the London airports and north-south up and down
the country. At the same time it will enhance safety by allowing the air traffic
controllers greater scope in the way they manage the airspace,” said a NATS spokeswoman.
opponents of the scheme claim the extra capacity is almost certainly linked to
the proposed expansions of Bournemouth and Southampton airports.
have any effect on whether the plans are approved.