New Flightpath Threat Revealed

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More areas would suffer aircraft noise from fourth runway

Millions more people would face increased aircraft noise if Heathrow expands, according to a campaign group which has mapped areas likely to be affected.

The 2M group representing 24 councils including Hounslow, has predicted how a four runway airport would affect London.

It shows that Chiswick would be most affected by the arrival flightpath for a third runway north of the existing landing strips and this would also affect Mayfair, Sloane Square, South Kensington, Hammersmith and Brent. Isleworth would face impact from a fourth runway arrival path.

A fourth runway arrival path south of the airport would impact Balham, Streatham, Wandswoth, Putney, Roehampton, Richmond Park, Isleworth and Hounslow heath.

The alliance claims that three million people-rather than the current one million-would face extra aircraft noise if Heathrow gets two more runways. Their research is in response to increased lobbying of the government for expansion by Heathrow bosses. They have accused the 2M group of "scaremongering".

The Commission is due to publish an interim report later this year of airport expansion schemes although Prime Minister David Cameron has postponed any final decision until after May 2015 following the next election. This puts MPs whose constituencies are in the airport zone, including local MP Mary Macleod, under pressure.

The maps show areas of London and the south of England which could be affected by aircraft noise from a four runway Heathrow. The areas with darker shading could experience a more severe level of noise disruption from arriving and departing flights.

The Leader of Wandsworth Council and spokesman for the 2M campaign group, Ravi Govindia, said: "Heathrow is in the worst position in the country for a major airport and the Government should focus the search for new runway sites on viable settings where the impacts are less severe."


London-wide impacts
The new 'flightpath maps' show a four runway Heathrow would blight the majority of central, west and south London with noise pollution.

* North Surrey, east Berkshire and south Buckinghamshire would also be under the new flightpaths.

* Hyde Park, Regents Park , St James Park and Kensington Gardens would be directly affected by the arrival flightpath for runway 3.

* Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common and Richmond Park would all suffer from the arrival route for runway 4.

* The noise from planes landing and taking off from all four runways would impact the homes of around three million people.

Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd (formerly BAA) is owned by Alinda Capital Partners, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, CIC International, Ferrovial Group, GIC Special Investments and Qatar Holdings.

April 4, 2013