Plane noise from Heathrow drowns out Hounslow school, as Sir Howard makes a visit
In a 2 minute video clip by the BBC, the head teacher, Dee Scott, of the Beavers Primary School in Hounslow, shows Sir Howard Davies – head of the Airports Commission, round the school. She explains to him and members of the Commission the impact another runway could have and the problems of trying to teach against the noise. The area is subjected to a plane overhead about every 90 seconds or so (noise lasting perhaps 30 seconds of that) for at least half of each school day (with westerly operations). And the problem of having to be either cool enough – with the windows open – but with noise that makes the proper function of the school impossible. OR keep the windows closed, and reduce the noise while everyone inside is uncomfortably hot. Sir Howard’s exact words in the film were that the Airports Commission has to “balance the economic interests of the many and the environmental and nuisance costs to the few”. The “few” means about 725,000 people currently affected by Heathrow noise, within the 55 decibel Lden contour and about 245,000 in the 57 decibel LAeq contour.
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Third Heathrow runway could ‘drown out’ Hounslow school
Plane flies over part of the Hounslow school, landing at Heathrow
2 minute video clip, by the BBC, of the visit by Sir Howard Davies to the school.
The head teacher explains the problems of trying to teach against the noise, which is a plane every 90 seconds or so (noise lasting perhaps 30 seconds of that) for at least half of each school day. And the problem of having to be either cool enough – with the windows open – but with noise that makes the proper function of the school impossible. OR keep the windows closed, and reduce the noise while everyone inside is uncomfortably hot.
Sir Howard’s exact words were that the Airports Commission has to “balance the economic interests of the many and the environmental and nuisance costs to the few”.
17 June 2014
Members of the Airports Commission have visited one of the areas that could be affected if Heathrow gets a third runway.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27890708?post_id=100001835868220_675131949224661
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Sir Howard’s exact words were that the Airports Commission “has to “balance the economic interests of the many and the environmental and nuisance costs to the few”. Film link
With forecasts of over a million people being affected by aircraft noise, with 875,000 living within a 55 decibel average noise contour, it has to be asked just what “the few” means.
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Map indicating the location of schools along the current Heathrow approach paths
Map link for larger map
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The number of people affected by Heathrow noise now:
There are about 725,000 people currently affected by Heathrow noise, above the 55 decibel level.
“an estimated 725,000 people were within the 55dBALden” (Heathrow airport data)
http://www.heathrowairport.com/static/Heathrow_Noise/Downloads/PDF/NAP_exec_summary.pdf
and some 245,000 in the 57 db LAeq contour.
This number would increase by at least another 150,000 if there was a new, north west runway at Heathrow, within a 55 dB contour. link
ie. a total of 875,000 people in total would probably be within a 55 dB contour with a 3rd runway.