Dear Sirs,
Please accept this email as my contribution to the consultation on the Noise Action Plan which concludes on 20th October.
I believe that it is vital that the BIA considers the quality of life of those whose homes lie under their flight paths or relatively close to them. The current level of complaints is already significant, as is acknowledged in the Draft Noise Action Plan itself (p20). Increases in flights and overall noise during the night would have a dramatic further detrimental impact on the quality of life of residents.
I have received a large number of representations from constituents who believe that expanded operations, particularly at night, will have a serious impact on their quality of life. Most of these correspondents live in the vicinity of Bransgore and Burley and are primarily affected by the arrivals and departures to the airport using Runway 8. There is, however, a growing and more general perception that, in a national park, more exacting standards of noise abatement are required.
I am alarmed at the timetable for additional services during the silent hours, for example, Thompson from Egypt at twenty five past one 'clock; from Tenerife with four services between quarter past eleven o'clock and twenty five past one o'clock; and from Turkey at ten past one o'clock. It would be infinitely preferable if these flights were accommodated during the day.
It is essential that all aircraft using the airport adhere to the requirements stipulated in the noise management strategy, including: use of a continuous descent approach; adherance to specified departure routings and altitudes for approach and departure; limiting use of reverse thrust above low or 'idle' power; aswell as tightly controlling training and circuiting aircraft. Adherence to these measures will help alleviate disturbance and noise nuisance for affected residents both during the day and night.
How does the airport management propose to police and enforce adherence to these requirements?
When will a routine policy of fining all carriers who deviate from them be implemented?
The introduction of the internet based radar replay service Webtrak was welcome and it is important that local residents become more familiar with using it. It would be most helpful if it was made more user-friendly with the addition of online publication of deviation statistics and the punitive action taken against offending carriers.
Yours faithfully
Desmond Swayne TD MP
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