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21 - Jul - 2014

Expansion at Heathrow could mean less noise

Yes, you read right; according to Heathrow’s new official figures, a new, third runway at the airport would mean that upto 45% fewer people would be affected by aircraft noise, but only by 2040 when the runway reaches its full capacity.  The new figures, which have been based on the EU’s ‘Lden’ measure of 55 decibels and verified by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority), is equivalent to approximately 200,000 to 325,000 people that are living under the flight path suffering from less noise.

These latest figures from Heathrow are obviously a quick response to the Mayor of London’s claim that the airport has understated the noise levels a third runway would incur with their original 2030 forecasts; at this time, the third runway would not be operating at full capacity.  The Mayor believes that Heathrow did not take into consideration other aspects including population rises, and that they were being overly-optimistic about advances in aircraft technology to help airplanes operate more quietly.  How much of this is ‘sour grapes’ as he wants his Estuary hub is not known; but 2040 is quite a time in the future and what are the predicted noise levels until the third runway until it reaches full capacity?

The Mayor’s published figures were the complete opposite, claiming that a third runway at Heathrow would subject over 370,000 more people to aircraft by 2050; that’s when the runway is 10 years in to running at full capacity, and utilising technology predictions that are a little less optimistic.  What is also interesting is that under the 57 decibel ‘Lden’ measure, which is favoured by the government, far fewer people would be less affected by noise from aircraft, between 34,450 and 49,550 – now that’s quite a difference!

The public is going to take some convincing that an increase of more than 250,000 flights are year – that’s the prediction when the third runway is operating at full capacity – is actually going to lessen the noise impact!  And if it does in some areas around Heathrow, what’s going to happen over other areas – an increase in noise levels?  Even the lobby group, Back Heathrow, has said that whilst it’s all for growth at the airport will protect jobs and improve the economy in the area, it must not “come at any cost”.  It’s definitely time that Heathrow seriously considers, and reports on, other potential measures to reduce the impact of noise because at the moment, what their publishing is just not washing with the general public!

By Oliver Derek