CHATR Response To Third Runway Flight Path Design

Deadline looming for consultation replies

A recent protest by CHATR

CHATR (Chiswick Against The Third Runway) is continuing to work with other groups to argue against the development of the Third Runway and a vote in Parliament on this issue is expected later this summer.

Heathrow’s consultation has a deadline of 28 March and the group has appealed to local residents to respond before then, to help ensure that Chiswick residents’ views make an impact.

Hounslow Council has already responded to the consultation reiterating its ' 'better not bigger' stance, but Heathrow has rejected its concerns about noise, air quality and transport.

CHATR has now had time to review the questions in more detail and would urge you to respond to the Airspace consultation so that the views of residents are taken into account and have an impact on the decision-making for this critical stage affecting the future of Chiswick.

Heathrow Airport’s Airspace consultation will influence its proposals to the CAA for the development of the airspace, and is separate from the Government’s consultation. The consultation covers the potential principles Heathrow could apply when designing the new airspace required for an expanded airport, ultimately deciding the flight paths the additional aircraft should use.

Many people responding may argue that routes should minimise the total number of people affected, including those under existing flight paths, but this would result in new flight paths over Chiswick as well as feeder paths as planes turn onto the new flight path, with significantly increased and highly disruptive aircraft noise across the whole area. CHATR suggests Chiswick residents select the option to minimise the number of people newly overflown. We believe this will help to reduce the harm to Chiswick. The full document can be read here

CHATR say : "At this stage of the consultation, there is no statement of actual flight paths proposed, and therefore no opportunity to comment on them. Instead, there are six principles set out that should guide Heathrow in how the airspace should be used. Two further stages of the consultation will cover 'design envelopes' i.e. the geographic areas or corridors over which Heathrow is considering using airspace. Only at the third stage will actual flight paths be proposed. The six principles are summarised below, together with the responses that CHATR suggest should be made: Select the second option: “Respond to the Airspace Consultation.” The questions should only take a few minutes to complete, most involving only a simple tick box.

Suggested responses to the Airspace Consultation;
Q1 Flight paths ;As mentioned above, CHATR suggests that B is the best option for Chiswick:
B. Minimise the number of people newly overflown, keeping flight paths close to where they are today, where possible

Q2 Urban and rural areas Suggest B (there are also safety arguments in favour of this):

B. Prioritise routing aircraft over rural areas where fewer people live

Q3 Urban areas ; Suggest A: A. Prioritise routing aircraft over parks and open spaces rather than residential areas

4 Noise and emissions;Suggest A: Design flight paths that prioritise the reduction of aircraft noise for local communities over those that reduce fuel burn and emissions

Q5 Technology and innovation; We suggest you comment that Heathrow should insist that all aircraft use the latest navigation technology and fly newer aircraft with quieter engines.

Q6 Night flights; We suggest you comment that the same principles should apply to day and night flights.

If you do not wish to answer the specific points in the consultation, but wish to let Heathrow know your views, you can write to Heathrow directly at ;
Freepost LHR AIRSPACE CONSULTATION or send an email to airspace.feedback@ heathrowconsultation.com

Finally, you may like to read the article from Wednesday’s Guardian based on a letter from a cross party group of MPs, Lords and Council Leaders pointing out the hidden costs and the implications for tax payers in addition to the health issues, worsening noise and air pollution for residents in the affected areas.

March 16, 2018