“London Councils” – representing 32 London boroughs & councils – calls for an end to night flights from 2017

“London Councils” is a cross-party organisation which represents London’s 32 borough councils and the City of London and works on behalf of all of its member authorities regardless of political persuasion. It has responded to the 2nd stage of the government’s consultation on night flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted by repeating its call for a total ban on night time flying from 2017. At present there is no ban on flying from the three airports at night but a limit on take-off and landing is in place. At Heathrow this is currently 2,550 in winter and 3,250 in summer.  Councillor Catherine West, Chair of London Councils’ Transport & Environment Committee, said: “Night flights are an unacceptable part of the capital’s airport operations. This consultation is disappointing as it discusses keeping the current system, or extending the time period of the restrictions. It does not allow a proper assessment of the economic or health implications of banning night flights, which is what the majority of our residents want.” London Councils believes night flight noise is a serious well-being issue and has a big impact on quality of life for ordinary Londoners. “Any new technical and operation procedures could help, but ultimately communities across the capital would like a ban on night flights from 2017.”
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“London Councils” says about themselves:

London Councils represents London’s 32 borough councils and the City of London. It is a cross-party organisation that works on behalf of all of its member authorities regardless of political persuasion.

London Councils makes the case to government, the Mayor and others to get the best deal for Londoners and to ensure that our member authorities have the resources, freedoms and powers to do the best possible job for their residents and local businesses.

……….  London Councils acts as a catalyst  for effective sharing among boroughs – be that ideas, good practice, people, resources, or policies and new approaches.

The strategic direction of London Councils is set by the Leaders’ Committee.  Meeting eight times a year, our Leaders’ Committee comprises the Leaders of all of London’s local authorities.  There is also a cross-party Executive Committee which guides the organisation’s day-to-day work.

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/aboutus/default.htm


 

Night flights – Londoners losing sleep

Catherine West

3 February 2014

London Councils has responded to the second stage of the government’s consultation on night flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted by repeating its call for a total ban on night time flying from 2017. At present there is no ban on flying from the three airports at night but a limit on take-off and landing is in place. At Heathrow this is currently 2,550 in winter and 3,250 in summer.

Councillor Catherine West, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: “Night flights are an unacceptable part of the capital’s airport operations. This consultation is disappointing as it discusses keeping the current system, or extending the time period of the restrictions. It does not allow a proper assessment of the economic or health implications of banning night flights, which is what the majority of our residents want.

“London is a world city and excellent transport links are vital to our economy. But as lively, vibrant and exciting as London is, it can also be noisy at ground level during the night and in the early hours without huge jets thundering overhead too. I believe this is a serious wellbeing issue and has a big impact on quality of life for ordinary Londoners. I’d like to see a frank and open discussion with all the options on the table.”

London Councils’ response also refers to three new studies which add to evidence of health risks associated with aircraft noise. Councils want the government to make a firmer commitment towards acknowledging and mitigating possible health risks associated with night flights.

In one answer London Councils highlights that a trial designed to cut early morning noise carried out in south London proved controversial. ‘The ‘Early Morning Respite’ trial had some serious negative noise impacts to Lewisham residents and particularly to those in the Brockley area,’ the consultation response states. It goes on to acknowledge that ‘Heathrow is engaging with the residents affected, who have also witnessed a general increase in aircraft noise’.

Councillor West added: “London Councils supports further investigations on any procedures that offer a potential for reducing aircraft noise, both day and night. Any new technical and operation procedures could help, but ultimately communities across the capital would like a ban on night flights from 2017.”

The full response is available here.

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/news/current/pressdetail.htm?pk=1752

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Response to Stage 1 consultation on night flying restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted

Night flights – Londoners losing sleep

Night flying restrictions stage 2 consultation response (PDF, 166Kb)

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In November 2013, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched its second stage consultation on the next night flight regime at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

DfT has proposed a three year regime which will retain the main features of the current regime, although some minor changes will be made to restrict the noisiest aircraft. This three-year regime, which will be in place until October 2017, is shorter than recent regimes in order to align it with the work of the Airports Commission.

As highlighted in our response to the Stage 1 consultation, London Councils have consistently opposed any night flights due to the significant negative impacts on local communities. For the next regime, London boroughs would have wished to see more stringent restrictions which reflects actual needs, incentivises the upgrade to quieter aircraft fleets and protects the night sleep of neighbouring communities.

 

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Zac Goldsmith challenges Heathrow to take a leaf out of Gatwick’s book

Friday 7th February 2014

By Amy Dyduch (Local Guardian)

Zac Goldsmith has challenged Heathrow to match Gatwick’s pledge to reduce the impact of aircraft noise for people living under the flight path.

In a recent expansion of its noise insulation scheme, to be rolled out from April, homes around Gatwick can apply for up to £3,000 towards double glazing, while loft insulation has increased by up to 40 per cent.

If Heathrow was to adopt a similar scheme up to 70,000 homes would be eligible to apply for funds – nearly double the current number.

The Conservative MP for Richmond Park said Gatwick’s move was a bold and responsible one by an airport willing to adapt to aircraft noise in line with the latest scientific evidence.

He said: “Heathrow continually downplays the effects of aircraft on the community in its bid to expand its airport, and is using wildly outdated formula for its own insulation scheme.

“Even without expansion, the airport already impacts more people than all other major European airports combined, and it’s time for the management to tackle the issue responsibly and seriously.”

There are currently about 40,000 homes around Heathrow eligible for noise insulation and the airport publishes a quarterly league table to benchmark how quiet individual airline fleets are and how quietly they are flown.
A Heathrow spokesman said: “Our proposal for a third runway would see fewer people affected by noise than today due to quieter aircraft and new flight paths.

“We have said that if government supports a third runway at Heathrow then any areas which do experience new noise or a significant increase in noise should be eligible for free noise insulation.”

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10993513.Goldsmith_challenges_Heathrow_to_take_a_leaf_out_of_Gatwick_s_book/
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