Residents of west Kent pleased that Gatwick will delay decision on controversial airspace consultation

Gatwick will be delaying the decision on their very controversial flight path changes, to the delight of campaign groups across west Kent, and their local MPs. People have been experiencing, and complaining vociferously about, an increase in night flights, plane noise and low-flying aircraft. The Gatwick noise complaint lines have been swamped, and people have not been given satisfactory responses by the airport. Gatwick is postponing their plans till next year, but it is believed this is only being done in order to prevent further bad publicity during the Airports Commission consultation, starting this autumn.  Opponents of the airport’s 2nd runway say that if Gatwick are truly serious about “being a good neighbour they would publish what people really think to help the Commission decide.” Gatwick said in a statement that they would “Reflect further on the feedback received during local consultations,” “Undertake detailed analysis work on final route options,” “Undertake further work on the possibility to introduce more respite for residents most affected by noise,” and “Consider how Gatwick can engage better on any new flight change options.” But just talking to people about noise does not reduce it. They want they want less noise, not more “engagement.”
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Residents of west Kent pleased by Gatwick Airport revealing it will delay decision on controversial airspace consultation

1 October 2014

by Annabel Rusbridge-Thomas  (Kent Online)

Gatwick Airport has revealed it will be delaying the decision on a controversial consultation – to the delight of campaign groups across west Kent and local MPs.

Residents have been complaining about an increase in night flights, plane noise and low-flying aircraft and have, until now, not received a satisfying response from the airport.

However, it has been revealed today that Gatwick Airport will delay a decision about whether to go forward with new flight paths until next year.

Residents of west Kent raised questions over Kent County Council’s view on a second runway at Gatwick

At a Noise and Track Monitoring Advisory Group (NATMAG) meeting, Gatwick said the changes to flight paths will be delayed until a better understanding of the available options and steps was acquired.

However, the Civil Aviation Authority’s Future Airspace Strategy requires that changes to local airspace are implemented by 2020, so today’s decision is an extension of the timeline – not a cancellation of the process altogether.

Gatwick said this additional time will allow it to do as much as possible to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on local residents.

In a statement it said it will use the time to:

Reflect further on the feedback received during local consultations
Undertake detailed analysis work on final route options
Undertake further work on the possibility to introduce more respite for residents most affected by noise (including between 4000 and 7000 feet).
Consider how Gatwick can engage better on any new flight change options, including by developing a more detailed programme of engagement through GATCOM

In addition, NATS also agreed to delay implementing any changes to airspace above 4000 feet.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark is delighted by Gatwick’s decision to postpone the consultation after he sent a letter in August expressing the concerns of local residents. He said: “I am very pleased that both Gatwick and NATS have agreed with my call to go back to the drawing board with these proposals as they have caused immense worry to my constituents in the west of Tunbridge Wells.

“Both organisations have confirmed that there will be no change to the flight path until further work, including adequate consultation with the community, has taken place. This is a good outcome and I am grateful to Gatwick and NATS for responding to my request and that of the community.”

Gatwick officials have said the local community will also be appropriately engaged on any future proposals to change the use of airspace around Gatwick.

Tom Denton, head of corporate responsibility at Gatwick said: “We are taking more time to review the flight change options we have consulted on in order to further consider all the feedback received before making any airspace change proposals.”It is clear that airspace change is a sensitive issue for the communities around the airport and we encourage members of the community to engage fully with their GATCOM representative.”

A spokesman for Gatwick environmental campaign froups, including the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC), High Weald Councils Aviation Action Group (HWCAAG) , Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE)  and GatwickObviouslynot.org said:”We wish to engage with the management at Gatwick as they reflect on the feedback that has led to this delay – but the results of the public consultation by IPSOS MORI should be published.

“We do not believe that GATCOM has played any part in delivering this delay and we are suspicious that this is only being stopped in order to prevent further bad publicity during the Airports Commission consultation on an additional runway. If they are truly serious about being a good neighbour they would publish what people really think to help the Commission decide.”

Dr John Godfrey, Chair, GATCOM, said:

“I am pleased that the important role GATCOM has played in ensuring that the serious concerns of communities were addressed by the airport and NATS has been successful.

“GATCOM provides that vital link between the wider communities around Gatwick and the airport’s management enabling the communities’ voices to be heard. This has resulted in the Committee’s call for detailed consideration of feedback on the London airspace consultation options and the need for further consultation being positively acted upon.”

“GATCOM will continue to ensure that all parties are appropriately engaged and affected communities kept informed of progress and consulted.”

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/tonbridge/news/gatwick-delays-controversial-consultation-24325/

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The High Weald Councils Aviation Action Group is against a second runway at Gatwick

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See also:

Gatwick admits defeat and is postponing new flight paths in the face of vocal opposition

Gatwick is postponing the planned introduction of new flight paths, as a result of massive opposition. A proposed new departure flight path to the west, outlined in a recent consultation, has been postponed. This will set an important precedent for similar new flight paths proposed at Heathrow and at Birmingham. A new procedure for arriving aircraft – the point-merge system – proposed by NATS has also been postponed, in the face of widespread concern expressed across East and West Sussex, and Kent. A new flight path recently introduced over Beare Green, Holmwood, Reigate and Redhill is currently under review by the CAA. But other new concentrated departure tracks – which have resulted in a wave of agonised complaints, and vocal new anti-noise groups, up to 20 miles around the airport – remain in position. Brendon Sewill, chairman of the GACC Gatwick’s Big Enough campaign, wants not only a postponement, but all new routes cancelled. It is thought that Gatwick may have ordered the postponement as they realise the protests were undermining their case for a new runway. A new runway, with twice as many aircraft as now, would be far worse than the present situation. Determined opposition will continue, for as long as it takes.

Click here to view full story…

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Gatwick Airport Ltd press release

Gatwick to delay changes to local airspace

30 September 2014

However, the Civil Aviation Authority’s Future Airspace Strategy requires that changes to local airspace are implemented by 2020, so today’s decision is a deferral or an extension of the timeline, not a cancelation of the process altogether.

Gatwick Airport approached NATS with the suggestion to defer any proposals following consultation with GATCOM and NATMAG – the noise and track monitoring advisory group that brings together representatives from the Department of Transport, NATS, airlines, Gatwick Airport and local authorities.

The additional time will allow Gatwick to do as much as possible to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on local residents. Gatwick Airport proposes using the longer timeframe to:

  • Reflect further on the feedback received during local consultations
  • Undertake detailed analysis work on final route options
  • Undertake further work on the possibility to introduce more respite for residents most affected by noise (including between 4000 and 7000 feet).
  • Consider how Gatwick can engage better on any new flight change options, including by developing a more detailed programme of engagement through GATCOM

In addition, NATS also agreed to delay implementing any changes to airspace above 4000 feet.

When any changes to airspace operation are eventually identified, Gatwick Airport believes it would be preferable for both Gatwick and NATS to submit their proposed changes to the Civil Aviation Authority for review at the same time, so as to avoid unnecessary confusion in the community or any period of prolonged uncertainty. The local community will also be appropriately engaged on any future proposals to change the use of airspace around Gatwick.

Tom Denton, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Gatwick Airport, said:

“We are taking more time to review the flight change options we have consulted on in order to further consider all the feedback received before making any airspace change proposals. It is clear that airspace change is a sensitive issue for the communities around the airport and we encourage members of the community to engage fully with their GATCOM representative.”

Dr John Godfrey, Chair, GATCOM, said:

“I am pleased that the important role GATCOM has played in ensuring that the serious concerns of communities were addressed by the airport and NATS has been successful. GATCOM provides that vital link between the wider communities around Gatwick and the airport’s management enabling the communities’ voices to be heard. This has resulted in the Committee’s call for detailed consideration of feedback on the London airspace consultation options and the need for further consultation being positively acted upon.”

“GATCOM will continue to ensure that all parties are appropriately engaged and affected communities kept informed of progress and consulted.”

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