Noise News
Below are links to stories about noise in relation to airports and aviation.
Can we stop noise pollution using human rights laws?
There are no specific human rights laws relating to noise, but excessive noise pollution is covered by Article 8 [Right to respect for private and family life] of the European Convention on Human Rights, and incorporated into UK law by the Human Rights Act. Article 8 protects the right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence. However, article 8 is what is known as a "qualified" right. A lawyer discusses its protections. (Guardian comment)
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Consultation underway on Bristol Draft Noise Action Plan
Bristol Airport has launched its draft Noise Action Plan consultation, which will close on 22nd December. New proposals include reviewing where aircraft park and the introduction of a tracker system to record the routes. SBAE said "Noise action plans on road and rail operations are drawn up by independent organisations. Why would an airport operator impose constraints on their own operations that could possibly lose them business?"
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Accurate information for Stansted Noise Action Plan consultation needed, SSE tells Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn
SSE has called on Hilary Benn to intervene in BAA’s draft Noise Action Plan consultation to ensure that correct figures are published which show the true extent of the noise impacts from Stansted Airport. This is essential to allow public consultation to be conducted on the basis of accurate and consistent data. Analysis by SSE has revealed that BAA’s consultation misrepresents and understates the number of people affected by overflying due to the airport.
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Heathrow airport noise pollution study ‘illogical’, says top aviation scientist
The CAA's former chief scientist has called on the Government to commission a new study into the effects of aircraft noise on residents around Heathrow. Anti-expansion campaigners and local councils, including Wandsworth, said the call could be used as part of a legal challenge against the Government’s planned expansion. Professor Brooker said the Government’s position on aircraft noise was "illogical", and the onset of "significant community annoyance" is 50 decibels rather than 57 - the DfT level. (Local Guardian)
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East Midlands – Airport bosses happy with noise policy despite residents’ protests
East Midlands airport says they are happy with their policy on aircraft noise despite protests at a public meeting last night. They have put in place measures to reduce the volumes of noise from planes, but many people living nearby say they are still woken by night flights. Staff at East Midlands said they would need to change little from their existing plans to fall in line with the EU requirements.
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Manchester Airport launch noise consultation
Manchester Airport has launched a public consultation on a new five-year draft noise action plan. The measures include a proposal to reduce the daytime threshold above which noise fines are issued, as well as increasing the penalty for breaching the noise limit. It began on 1st July, and ends on 21st October.
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Bournemouth Airport launches Airport noise consultation
Residents are to have their say on how noise is controlled at Bournemouth Airport. A 16 week public consultation has been launched by the airport on its draft plans to manage aircraft noise and review the measures currently in place. The consultation ends on 21st October. For people wishing to take part in the consultation, copies of the Noise Action Plan are available online at www.bournemouthairport.com.
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MPs call for acton to protect scenic countryside from aircraft noise
A report - "The use of airspace - Reduce stacking and consider limiting flights over AONB's and National Parks" - published today by the Transport Select Committee warns that ‘current airspace guidance appears to allow unchecked increases’ in flights over sensitive areas such as National Parks. CPRE feels this would progressively destroy the peace and quiet of these areas. The report says if a 3rd runway is built at Heathrow, there must be curbs on noise.
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New Reports Say Noise is Harming our Health
Two new reports assessing our state of knowledge on noise and health make it clear many people are affected, some seriously, by exposure to environmental noise. With Defra preparing to consult the public on noise action plans for England, information on the effects of noise is needed now. Defra research finds clear links between noise exposure and annoyance; cardiovascular effects; sleep disturbance; learning and hearing impairment. (Env Protection)
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No compensation over Newcastle Airport noise
Levels of noise pollution caused by Newcastle airport are revealed for the first time. Hundreds of people living nearby are caused "significant annoyance" by aircraft flying in and out of the region on a daily basis. But none of them are entitled to compensation or special insulation in their homes because the noise levels are not quite high enough for them to qualify. The airport has prepared its first ever Noise Action Plan, for public consultation. (Journal)