The Government’s Consultation Document entitled “Heathrow – Adding Capacity” was issued before Christmas and responses are invited by 27 February 2008 at the latest.
To maximise traffic on the two existing runways, it is proposed to concentrate all arrivals on two closely spaced routes, straight in from about 25 miles from Heathrow. To reduce the risk of mid-air collisions, the two routes would be at different heights. With westerly winds, which occur for about 75% of the time, the approach to the southern runway from the east would be at about 4,000 feet, while the northern runway approach would be at about 5,000 feet. For much of the area, the noise footprints would overlap, so the net effect would be aircraft flying virtually overhead, one every 80 seconds or so, constantly from about 6am to 11pm, along the Thames corridor from the Blackheath/Greenwich area.
Night flights are covered by a different regime and would be unaffected by the current proposals.
The reason for these changes is to enable both existing runways at Heathrow to be used for both departures and landings throughout the day (known as “mixed mode”). Although mixed mode would only increase traffic by about 12%, the proposals for the flight paths to allow this to happen will result in an increase in traffic and noise by many times that percentage. Mixed mode could happen as soon as 2010.
Apart from the introduction of mixed mode, the Government is also proposing to build a third runway which will be operational by 2020 and fully operational by 2030. This will increase capacity by about 30%.
Under the proposed mixed mode regime, the aggregated number of flights per day over Blackheath and Greenwich will be over 700. This will involve a constant stream of aircraft overhead at the rate of about 43 an hour - or one every 80 seconds. This is over a 300% increase in traffic.
Because the approach over Blackheath will be at the minimum permitted height, the Continuous Descent Approach will not be used. This technique involves an aircraft descending gradually over an extended distance with a consequent reduction in noise level. Most aircraft will be in level flight over Blackheath and the engine noise will be noticeably more. The routes to be used for the Continuous Decsent Approach prior to arrival over Blackheath have not been publicised.
The Government says in the consultation document that they specifically want to consult, amongst many other things, on how people feel in local communities about the introduction of mixed mode.
12 local authorities in the Greater London area have combined to form the 2M Group to oppose the expansion of Heathrow. Surprisingly Lewisham and Greenwich have yet to join these authorities.
The full 250 page Consultation Document is available at www.dft.gov.uk. From the Home Page select Adding capacity at Heathrow Airport, then Consultation document. Comments should be made by 27 February to:
Freepost RRRR-TARL-ABJS,
Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport (DfT Consultation)
Research Services House
Elmgrove Road
Harrow HA1 2QG
Or by e-mails to: heathrowconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Meanwhile, don’t forget that, if you are disturbed by aircraft noise at any time, complaints can be registered with BAA at 0800 344844 or via e-mail: noise_complaints@BAA.com
Apologies for such a long posting, but last October there were several postings on this website about increased aircraft noise. With this mixed mode method of operating the existing runways it is highly likely that we, too, will experience the knock-on effect of a greater increase in air traffic overhead.
Pat Trembath
Runway operation at Heathrow
If you want to know more about local noise levels in the sydenham area, this website is really cool.
www.noisemapping.org
www.noisemapping.org
Can't believe anyone living in Sydenham is really affect by aircraft noise. Surely road traffic noise is far more of a problem.
The only aircraft which has ever affected Sydenham was Concorde, which we've now lost.
Living in an inner city area, maybe it's something we just have to learn to live with and be grateful we don't live nearer to Heathrow.
I used to love hearing Concorde roar over my house I miss it.
The only aircraft which has ever affected Sydenham was Concorde, which we've now lost.
Living in an inner city area, maybe it's something we just have to learn to live with and be grateful we don't live nearer to Heathrow.
I used to love hearing Concorde roar over my house I miss it.
Just received ....
LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM
Media Release: 10 April 2008
Ref: PR458
2M group doubles as airport protest spreads
The 2M group of local councils opposed to Heathrow expansion has now doubled in size following a surge in membership among London boroughs.
The most recent councils to join are Brent, Harrow, Lewisham, Southwark and Sutton.
The group, which took its name from the 2 million residents of the original 12 authorities, now represents a combined population of 4 million people.
Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister, speaking on behalf of the all-party 2M group, said:
"This started as a west London campaign and has now spread to all parts of the capital. All the councils involved are trying to protect the quality of life for their residents.
"In some cases communities have become aware how the new third runway routes could affect them, in others opposition is driven by growing concern about the impact of climate change.
"We will be stepping up our call for a complete review of the airports white paper. It's time to look at the alternatives - we can't just go on giving in to BAA's demand for more runway capacity."
The Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, said: “Aircraft noise is a growing concern for Lewisham residents, so we have joined with other councils to make the case against the expansion of Heathrow.”
Consultation on the Government's proposals for a third runway and increased use of existing runways closed on February 27. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is expected to announce her decision in the early summer. The Heathrow expansion plans are equivalent to building a new airport the size of Gatwick in the most densely populated part of the country.
The 2M Group is an alliance of local authorities concerned at the environmental impact of Heathrow expansion on their communities.
The full membership comprises the London Boroughs of Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Sutton, Southwark and Wandsworth, the boroughs of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead and South Bucks District Council.
For more information visit www.2MGroup.org.uk
LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM
Media Release: 10 April 2008
Ref: PR458
2M group doubles as airport protest spreads
The 2M group of local councils opposed to Heathrow expansion has now doubled in size following a surge in membership among London boroughs.
The most recent councils to join are Brent, Harrow, Lewisham, Southwark and Sutton.
The group, which took its name from the 2 million residents of the original 12 authorities, now represents a combined population of 4 million people.
Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister, speaking on behalf of the all-party 2M group, said:
"This started as a west London campaign and has now spread to all parts of the capital. All the councils involved are trying to protect the quality of life for their residents.
"In some cases communities have become aware how the new third runway routes could affect them, in others opposition is driven by growing concern about the impact of climate change.
"We will be stepping up our call for a complete review of the airports white paper. It's time to look at the alternatives - we can't just go on giving in to BAA's demand for more runway capacity."
The Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, said: “Aircraft noise is a growing concern for Lewisham residents, so we have joined with other councils to make the case against the expansion of Heathrow.”
Consultation on the Government's proposals for a third runway and increased use of existing runways closed on February 27. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is expected to announce her decision in the early summer. The Heathrow expansion plans are equivalent to building a new airport the size of Gatwick in the most densely populated part of the country.
The 2M Group is an alliance of local authorities concerned at the environmental impact of Heathrow expansion on their communities.
The full membership comprises the London Boroughs of Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Sutton, Southwark and Wandsworth, the boroughs of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead and South Bucks District Council.
For more information visit www.2MGroup.org.uk