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GLA Environment Committee calls for changes to way London City aircraft noise is measured
Posted on March 14, 2012
Recommends City and Heathrow noise measurements are combined
In a report published today the GLA Environment Committee has called for important changes to the way noise from City Airport is measured (1). It recommends that the noise measurements from Heathrow and London City Airport should be combined to reflect the way people who live under both flight paths hear the noise.
The Committee’s report says: “In recent years, residents in areas in east London, such as the Docklands, have begun to experience combined increased levels of noise from aircraft serving London City Airport and Heathrow. Yet the noise contours for both airports are drawn up separately. We understand that this situation may possibly apply to parts of south east London, such as Lewisham. We were told “That is clearly not how people hear noise…for those areas where you get a significant number of both Heathrow and City aircraft there has to be joint contours, otherwise it completely underestimates the actual noise that people are hearing in the area.” The Committee agrees with these conclusions and would urge the Department for Transport in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority to consider the scope for developing joint contours or other indicators…….for those areas of London where residents and communities are affected by the joint impact of noise from aircraft flying to and from Heathrow and London City Airports”.
John Stewart, the Chair of HACAN East, which represents residents living under the Heathrow and London City flights paths, said; “We welcome this recommendation from the committee. It is simple common-sense. At present, the way noise is measured doesn’t properly reflect the levels of noise experienced by people who live under both flight paths.”
In a wide-ranging report, the Committee also recommended that the Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee, and London City Airport Consultative Committee have periodic joint meetings to consider matters of common concern.
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. The report, Plane Speaking, can be downloaded from the Greater London Assembly website here.
For more information:
John Stewart on 0207 737 6641; 07957385650
