As many of you will be aware, the current restrictions expire in October of this year and the consultation details our proposals for the restrictions that should replace them. We are proposing that these restrictions last for five years, and they are therefore separate to Heathrow expansion proposals.
The Government acknowledges that noise at night represents the least acceptable form of aircraft noise, however night flights are important to the economy – they create extra choice for passengers and are crucial for operation of the time-sensitive freight sector. The proposals in our consultation will ensure that we continue to balance these competing interests for the next set of restrictions.
We are proposing a cap set at existing levels for the number of night flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, and will end exemptions for almost 1700 night flights operating out of Stansted by including these in a new cap. This will be a strict limit which the airport cannot exceed. We will also examine options for how we can incentivise the use of quieter aircraft by reducing the noise each airport can make during the night.
Our consultation and the related impact assessment seek views and evidence relating to our proposals that will inform our eventual decision on the restrictions later this year. These documents can be accessed online at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/night-flight-restrictions-at-gatwick-heathrow-and-stanstedand consultation responses can be submitted using our online response form at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/J6KX6.
I hope that you will take the opportunity to examine our proposals and share details of this consultation with others who may be interested, and submit your views on the proposals before the consultation closes on 28 February 2017.
Some of you may be interested to know that we today also published the annual noise reports for these three airports. These reports can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/noise-exposure-contours-around-london-airports
CAGNE Forum website is up and running and we would welcome feedback – www.cagnepcforum.org.uk
Reminder
If you wish to attend the Noise Management Board public meeting on 31st January from 9.30am till 1pm at Gatwick Hilton, please email Vicki.hughes@gatwickairport.com before 15th January.
Date of Next CAGNE Forum meeting
- Host – Rusper Parish Council
- At Rusper Village Hall
- 7.30pm
- Tuesday 7th March
RSVP
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