Since London City concentrated its flight paths in early 2016 complaints to the airport have increased fourfold. The Civil Aviation Authority is currently studying a report produced by the airport into the first year’s operation of the flight paths and is expected to make recommendations by the end of the year.
This was one in a series of People's Question Times held around London where the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, and London Assembly members answer questions from the public.
London City at 30 - what we are looking for now
Below is an extract of a blog we have written. The full blog can be found on our blog page.
I first remember walking along the North Woolwich Road in 1978, the year I came to London. The lively pubs my uncles – seamen from Scotland – had talked about were lively no more. Much of the area was on its last legs. The docks, which had provided so much employment for the area, were to close down just three years later, in 1981.
Only people who have never experienced the pain of unemployment would dismiss lightly any development which brings jobs. As a boy I heard stories from an earlier generation of my family who had experienced the utter despair of not having a job during the Depression in 1930s Glasgow.
It was this mission to create jobs and prosperity in East London that drove many councillors to back the expansion of the airport in the 1990s. It was a noble aim but it did leave a litany of broken promises made to residents about the noisy neighbour in their midst.
So, three wishes as you move beyond thirty.
1. No further expansion – it is essential that the current cap on the number of planes allowed to use the airport remains.
2. No concentrated flight paths – the concentrated flight paths have created noise ghettos in areas across east and south east London. A solution needs to be found which provides some relief for the people of the noise ghetto.
3. No increase in noise and pollution – planes are becoming a little quieter and cleaner. The way to ensure residents benefit from that is to make sure that the current cap on the number of flights permitted to use it each year remains.
And one more thing. Moving forward, no more broken promises?
550% increase in complaints to City Airport following introduction of concentrated flight paths
Complaints to London City Airport have gone up by 550% since the introduction of the new concentrated flight paths. The figures were revealed in the airport’s 2016 Annual Performance Report, published yesterday (1). Last year there were nearly 400 complaints, up from 95 in 2015. In its report, London City admits the increase is down to the concentrated flight paths which were introduced in February 2016: “The spike in complaints, particularly from areas outside Newham, can likely be attributed to the implementation of Phase 1a of the London Airspace Management Plan (LAMP) which occurred at London City Airport from 4 February 2016.” LAMP was the plan which concentrated the flight paths.
John Stewart, chair of HACAN East which gives a voice to residents under the flight paths, said “This dramatic jump in complaints comes as no surprise to us. It reflects what we have been hearing. It is essential that the airport reconsiders its decision to concentrate all its flight paths”.
The release of the complaint figures comes just a week after the London Mayor Sadiq Khan called for an end to the concentrated flight paths. In an answer to a question from Green London Assembly member Caroline Russell, he said, “It is clear that the concentrated flight paths introduced by London City Airport are not working. We will continue to raise the issue with London City Airport. We also continue to make the case to the CAA that there must be a fairer distribution of flight paths that will address the severe noise impacts.
At present the Civil Aviation Authority is assessing a report from London City into the operation of the concentrated flight paths. It is expected to make its recommendations in the next month or two.
(1). Link to the report: https://www.londoncityairport.com/content/pdf/LCY%20Annual%20Performance%20Report%202016%20AW.pdf
London Mayor backs campaigners' call for end to concentrated flight paths
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has backed campaigners' calls for London City to end its concentrated flight paths. Below is the Mayor's written answer to a question put to him by Green Assembly member Caroline Russell
London City Airport - noise complaints
Question No: 2017/2794
Caroline Russell
According to London City Airport's statistics, presented to its Consultative Committee, since City Airport introduced concentrated flight paths, noise complaints from residents have increased four-fold in 2016, compared with the previous year. Will you press London City Airport to review their concentrated flight paths and clarify the steps they are taking to guarantee communities a break from aviation noise?
Written response from the Mayor
It is clear that the concentrated flight paths introduced by London City Airport are not working. Valerie Shawcross, my Deputy Mayor for Transport, met with London City Airport to raise these concerns with the Airport directly and press them on steps they can take. As part of the statutory airspace process, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is scheduled to undertake a review of the changes this year. We will continue to raise the issue with London City Airport. We also continue to make the case to the CAA that there must be a fairer distribution of flightpaths that will address the severe noise impacts.
LATeST Newsletter out now!
Sunday 25th June 2017
Click here to read the June 2017 edition of our newsletter, Plane Speaking
