Airspace Proposals Increase Noise

Airspace Proposals Increase Noise

NATS (National Air Traffic Services), who is responsible for UK's controlled airspace, has proposed extensions to the air corridor covering an area of western Hampshire. The proposal extends the existing corridor to the west. It starts at 6,000 ft at Hungerford, goes over Andover and down the River Test valley, falling to 5,500 ft at Kent's Oak ending at Minstead and Totton. It crosses the Wessex North Downs and the New Forest Park and it is expected that the Boeing 747 would create a noise level of 70 dBA.

In a press release about earlier proposals (September 2005), CPRE noted:

"The North Wessex Downs AONB was created to give protective coherence to one of the largest tracts of chalk downland in southern England and perhaps one of the least affected by development."

The new controlled area would be used after 17.30 hrs and before 09.30 hrs daily, and with increasing air traffic this is likely to lead to increased noise during night-time hours.

Initially this proposal was put out for consultation in May with a closing date of 10th August. However, since it mainly went to air users, statutory bodies and district councils, those mostly affected (i.e. under the new flight path) were largely ignorant of its existence. Due to alert members of the public, leading to increased exposure in local newspapers and awareness by MPs, the period in which views would be taken account of was extended into September.

CPRE's Response

On behalf of CPRE Hampshire, John Cooper, objected to the proposals in a letter dated 2nd August (PDF file). The main objections are:

Damaging impact on the quality of life of residents in the western part of Test Valley
Failure to adhere to the government's commitment to the World Health Organisation's Guidelines for Community Noise
Contravening the EU Directive on ambient noise (Directive 2002/49/EC ) and the resulting UK draft Ambient Noise Strategy
Increased noise intrusion due to growing air traffic
A misinterpretation of CPRE's tranquillity maps
Potential adverse impact on tourism in areas that would now be less tranquil
An overall increase in carbon dioxide emissions, despite a potential 1.2 per cent savings per individual flight

The full text can be seen in the letter of objection (PDF file).

In addition there was also a letter of objection from the North Hampshire District Group (PDF).

September 2007