Dear Sir
On behalf of the West Windsor Residents Association I would like to make representations as to the Heathrow Noise Action Plan.
As a representative of some of the residents in West Windsor I would like to express my and their concerns about the proposed actions to reduce aircraft noise over the Windsor and Datchet areas.
Anecdotally it has been reported that noise levels have increased over the past year, particukarly as regards to the frequency of overhead flights in the morning, especially before 5.30am,
We would urge the airport management to reinstate the planning application that would have allowed ‘the construction of the taxiways required to enable full easterly alternation following the ending of the Cranford Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act’ as stated in your Noise Action Plan 2023 2028 document. This will provide predictable respite to local communities such as ours.
We urge Heathrow management and authorities to hold regular meaning, meaningful dialogue with local authorities and businesses about aircraft noise and its detrimental effect on the health and well-being of neighbouring residents.
I refer to the British Medical Journal report from 2019 entitled ‘The harms to health caused by aviation noise require urgent action, which states Although well recognised as an environmental harm, there is now considerable recent literature on the adverse health effects of noise on children’s education and cardiovascular disease. The RANCH study conducted among primary school children near major airports in Europe, matched for socio-economic status, reported that chronic exposure to aircraft noise has a negative effect on children’s reading and learning outcomes [3]. A study from Germany has not only confirmed these findings, but also showed that children with language or retention disorders, or who are learning in a second language, experienced more impairment [4]. Studies near Heathrow schools indicate that even double glazing is insufficient for noise insulation [5].
With this in mind it is incumbent upon the airport to everything in its power to abate, reduce and aircraft noise through fewer flights, quieter planes and tighter restrictions on when flights can take place. There should be a total ban on night flights with tough penalties set by an independent panel for offenders. The proceeds of any fines should be used to compensate residents affected by aircraft noise with effective, state-of-the-art sound-proofing.
Please also see the points by Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Wisdom da Costa’s responses to the noise action plan, which the WWRA fully endorses.
https://www.facebook.com/CllrWisdomDaCosta/posts/658625289614244
We look forward to a quieter and healthier future with the help of our friends at Heathrow Airport.
Regards
Frankie Theobalds
WWRA Chairman