Robert Goodwill on flight path noise problems: “we must think about this carefully”
Changes to Gatwick flight paths, using satellite precision-area navigation (PR-Nav) technology, have meant an increase of noise for those under flight paths that are now narrower, or those under new routes. This has led to a huge number of noise complaints, as well as anger and upset for those affected. Reigate MP, Crispin Blunt leads the Gatwick Co-ordination Group of MPs in Parliament, opposed to the changed flight paths and to plans for a 2nd runway. Crispin has been trying to ascertain, from Aviation Minister, Robert Goodwill, that the new technology would be used in a way that allowed aircraft to be spread out as widely as possible, rather than being concentrated. In a recent letter to Robert Goodwill, Crispin asked for stronger policy guidance from the Government to ensure “noise ghettos” are not created, by reducing aircraft concentration, maximising dispersal and by permitting multiple arrival and departure routes to give respite to communities affected. In his response, Mr Goodwill said “it is extremely important that we listen to the concerns of communities on these matters”, before giving an assurance that the Government will consider the issues raised and the need for appropriate guidance to achieve “solutions which are locally suitable when airspace changes must be made”. He said “we must think about this carefully.”
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MP promises to listen to ‘noise ghetto’ worries over Gatwick
November 16th, 2015 (Dorking Advertiser)
CONCERNS: Noise issues at Gatwick will be “carefully” considered according to a minister
THE Government is listening to the concerns of residents blighted by Gatwick aircraft noise, according to the Aviation Minister.
Following the controversial introduction of satellite precision-area navigation (PR-Nav) technologyon Gatwick departures in 2013, which led to an increase in flights over the south of Mole Valley, Robert Goodwill has moved to reassure those disturbed by the change.
Responding to a letter from MP Crispin Blunt, who had called for the technology to be used in a way that allowed aircraft to be spread as widely as possible, Mr Goodwill said the matter needed to be considered “carefully”.
Mr Blunt is part of a group of MPs, including Mole Valley MP Sir Paul Beresford, who have battled against issues with aircraft noise around Gatwick.
In his letter to Mr Goodwill last month, Crispin Blunt asked for stronger policy guidance from the Government to ensure “noise ghettos” are not created, by reducing aircraft concentration, maximising dispersal and by permitting multiple arrival and departure routes to give respite to communities affected.
In his response, Mr Goodwill said “it is extremely important that we listen to the concerns of communities on these matters”, before giving an assurance that the Government will consider the issues raised and the need for appropriate guidance to achieve “solutions which are locally suitable when airspace changes must be made”.
His response follows the Civil Aviation Authority’s review of the introduction of PR-Nav technology. It recommended shifting the point at which aircraft turn, making them fly a different path over Mol Valleyl and reverting them to a route previously used.
After receiving Mr Goodwill’s reply, Mr Blunt said: “I am pleased that ministers have recognised that poor implementation of this flight technology can have a hugely negative impact on local communities affected by concentrated and persistent aircraft noise.
“The Government’s willingness to consider new guidance opens up the possibility of sharing the burden of noise through greater dispersal and use of respites. I stand ready to engage with Government to ensure we get fit-for-purpose guidance.”
William Boyack, spokesman for the airport, said: “Where possible Gatwick involves local communities in the design of any solutions to reduce the impact of noise. Following concerns from the local community, we are working towards implementing a redesign of the westerly departure flight path that currently takes aircraft close to [the area].”
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Aviation Minister reveals official review of concentrated flight paths policy
Friday, 6 November, 2015
(Crispin Blunt’s website)
The Aviation Minister has written to Crispin Blunt MP about concentrated flight paths, giving an assurance that the Government are considering ways to increase dispersal of flights to mitigate noise pollution.
Crispin Blunt wrote to Robert Goodwill MP last month about concerns with the implementation of “performance-based navigation” (PBN) on departure routes from Gatwick Airport. PBN is being rolled out across the world. This is based on a policy of concentrating flight paths rather than dispersing them.
Local MPs have secured a promise to change PBN on the westerly departure, which has overflown Holmwood and southern Reigate and Redhill, to bring the route further south of population centres. However, the satellite-based technology will still mean flights being concentrated on a precise route, with unrelenting disturbance for those underneath it. This is also having an impact on easterly departures from Gatwick.
Crispin Blunt asked for stronger policy guidance from Government to ensure PBN is implemented in more intelligent ways than seen so far at Gatwick, to avoid the creation of “noise ghettos” by reducing concentration and maximising dispersal and by permitting multiple arrival and departure routes to give respite to local communities affected.
In his response, the Minister agreed that “It is extremely important that we listen to the concerns of communities on these matter” and that there is a perception that current guidance “disincentivises respite in all but exceptional cases”. Mr Goodwill gave an assurance that the Government will consider the issues raised and the need for appropriate guidance to achieve “solutions which are locally suitable when airspace changes must be made”.
Crispin Blunt said:
“I am pleased that Ministers have recognised that poor implementation of this flight technology can have a hugely negative impact on local communities affected by concentrated and persistent aircraft noise. The Government’s willingness to consider new guidance opens up the possibility of sharing the burden of noise through greater dispersal and use of respites. I stand ready to engage with Government to ensure we get fit-for-purpose guidance.”
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Letter sent to Robert Goodwill MP from Crispin Blunt and the Gatwick Coordination Group of MPs
To Robert Goodwill,
Under Secretary of State for Transport
at the Department for Transport
9.11.2015
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Dear Under Secretary of State
I am writing to you on behalf of Members of the Gatwick Coordination Group* representing constituencies impacted by aviaitn noise out of Gatwick Airprot.
As you will be aware, in the last two years several UK airports, together with NATS, have undertaken trials of new, more concentrated, flight paths and procedures. In some cases these changes have been earmarked as permanent changes. In most cases they were not the subject to any consultation or liaison with affected communities.
The results of these trials and changes have been strikingly similar: a massive rise in complaints and deep concern anger amongst our constituents for the noise, emissions, health, financial and other impacts they are exposed to. Communities who have lived alongside their airport neighbours in reasonable harmony for many years are incensed.
These changes have frequently been justified on the basis that they supporting Government policy to “limit and, when possible, reduce the number of people in the UK significantly affected by aircraft noise”. The aviation industry asserts that this supports the concentration of aircraft.
We cannot believe this is what the government wants. It is clearly inequitable and unethical to concentrate the debilitating impacts of aviation on a minority of the population. It is similarly not responsible of the industry to seek to do so when the effects of intense noise, emissions and other impacts have not been adequatelyresearched and are not fully understood. And in some cases it is clear that the indust ry’s changes have increased the number of people significantly affeced by arcraft iouosewheihis is wholly frustrating your policy.
We hope you will make clear to the industry and those responsible for regulating it that, other than in very limited circumstances (for example routes over the sea), the government does not support the concentration of flight paths. We would welcome a clear statement from you that the impacts of aviation should, wherever possible, be dispersed on a fair and equitable basis, using the modern navigational technology now becoming available, consistent of course at all times with safety.
Yours sincerely
Crispin Blunt
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MP memebers of the Gatwick Coordination Group
Crispin Blunt MP – MP for Reigate (Chairman)
Sir Paul Beresford MP – MP for Mole Valley
Nusrat Ghani MP – MP for Wealden
Rt Hon Nick Herbert MP – MP for Arundel and South Downs
Jeremy Quin Mp – MP for Horsham
Tom Tugendhat MBE MP – MP for Tonbridge and Malling
Henry Smith MP – MP for Crawley
Rt Hon Sir Nicholas Soames MP – MP for Mid Sussex
See also earlier scanned:
Crispin Blunt’s letter of 1.10.2015 to Robert Goodwill, the Aviation Minister
Aviation Minister’s reply to Crispin Blunt, on 30.10.2015
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