SAY "NO" TO THE NEW FLIGHT PATH

You have the opportunity NOW to prevent the increase in air traffic over Wheathampstead.  Please read the information below to discover the full details and use the link to a pro-forma letter (at the bottom of the page) to get a draft letter to register your objection. 

Act now and make your opinion known before it's too late!

The Threat
NATS (National Air Traffic Service) have launched a consultation for a major re-organisation of air traffic in the South East of England. This is one of the biggest consultation exercises ever conducted in this country and it will affect millions of people including Wheathampstead.

• Why change air traffic routes?
• How much noise for Wheathampstead?
• How much air traffic over Wheathampstead?
• We should share the burden of noise not concentrate it
• What’s the benefit?
• What can you do?
• Who to write to?
 

Why change air traffic routes?
NATS say that they need to make these changes for a number of reasons: to make air traffic more efficient and safer and reduce the number of people affected by noise. The last change is a requirement from central government and NATS have concluded that the best way to reduce the number of people affected by noise is to direct air traffic away from towns and cities and over villages and countryside. Many people have argued that this logic is flawed and this is particularly so in this part of Hertfordshire where many people enjoy the peace of local countryside.

One of the routes affected is a flight path from Luton called Easterly Departures to the South West (also called Easterly Compton 08). The current flight path skims the north of Harpenden. But in actual fact because flights do not follow the line closely and aircraft travel in a broad 3km wide swathe that flies over much of Harpenden, Redbourn and Wheathampstead.

The proposed route would go around Wheathampstead in a narrow, concentrated band of noise and pollution, with flights passing over Wheathampstead and Green Belt to the east and south of the village. The Green Belt area includes the Hertfordshire Way, Ayot Green Way and Nomansland Common.

NATS are planning to employ new technology called P-RNAV that will concentrate the 3km wide swathe of flights, so that noise, pollution and CO2 emissions are funnelled in a very tight line over and around Wheathampstead.

The changes proposed on this route are not for safety or efficiency reasons; they are to ensure that Harpenden is not exposed to aircraft noise.

How Much Noise for Wheathampstead?
From the consultation document we know that overall the number of people affected by 57 decibels, which the Government considers to cause significant disturbance, will more than double near Luton. From the noise tables in the document planes flying over Wheathampstead will be flying at between 3000-4000ft. The tables show that above 3000ft, people in Wheathampstead could expect to be exposed to noise of between 63-76dB (quieter aircraft) and 65-83dB (noisier aircraft). This will cause significant disturbance for Wheathampstead.

How much Air Traffic over Wheathampstead?
Last year air traffic from Luton Airport increased by 7% and air traffic will continue to increase each year.

*assumes the noise from each flight noise will be heard for 2 minutes

We should share the burden of noise not concentrate it

Wheathampstead is not currently exposed to anything like this level of noise. It is a relatively peaceful village and living in a quiet, peaceful setting within easy reach of tranquil countryside is important to very many people in Wheathampstead.

Nomansland is particularly important as a rare acid heathland of local environmental significance and home to many rare species of insects, mammals and plants. It is also a place of peaceful relaxation for residents from across St Albans District. To the east two important local walks – the Hertfordshire Way and Ayot Green Way - are nationally and locally known and loved. The tranquillity of Nomansland and these beautiful country walks will be decimated.

This proposal has been put forward solely to direct noise away from towns. However, towns and cities are naturally noisier places with steady background traffic reducing perception of noise nuisance. Wheathampstead village has a much lower level of background noise and our Green Belt provides a valuable refuge of peace and tranquillity for people throughout the district. Most people are prepared to accept some level of noise provided that it is not frequent and it is not intolerably loud. This proposal would concentrate all the flights which are borne equally by all residents in Redbourn, Harpenden and Wheathampstead, so that all the burden is upon Wheathampstead and its surrounding Green Belt countryside.

The other easterly departure from Luton Airport to the North will not be changed. This will remain as a broad 3km wide flight path. This departure route should also remain as a broad swathe of air traffic that the community should bear collectively.

What’s the benefit?
The complete proposal for Luton airport will mean that the number of people exposed to noise from a flight path is reduced from 64,133 to 53,395, a total reduction of 16.7%. BUT the number of people affected by average noise levels of 57dB will DOUBLE to 111.6%. This is unfair.

What Can You Do?
You can make a difference to this proposal. It is essential that people who live in and around Wheathampstead fight these plans which will destroy the quality of life in our village and countryside. This proposal is wrong it will concentrate excessive levels of noise and traffic over Wheathampstead and unless we object to NATS this change will go ahead in 2009.

NATS are trying to get this proposal through with as little public awareness and consultation as possible. The government say that the minimum amount of time for a public consultation should be 12 weeks. NATS have allocated just 13 weeks for this very complex consultation. This is an attempt to short cut the democratic process and to force through changes without an appropriate amount of time and information for consultation.

NATS have refused to hold any public meetings to explain their proposals to ordinary people who will be affected by these changes.


Who to Write to
NATS will refer all comments to the Civil Aviation Authority who will make the final decision on each route.

Any complaints about this proposal must make clear the reasons for objecting to this proposal. Objections cannot include general complaints about an increase in aircraft traffic over time as this is a matter of government policy.

On-line comments and complaints can be sent to NATS at: www.consultation.nats.co.uk

Or you can write to them:
NATS, TCNConsultation, Freepost, NAT22750, Reading, RG1 4BR
 

To download a sample letter which you may copy click HERE.

To download a poster to display in your window click HERE.

You should also contact your MP and local councillor to ensure that they fight on your behalf to prevent these changes:

Peter Lilley MP, Riverside House, 1 Place Farm, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8SB

Cllr Chris Oxley, Pilgrim Cottage, Cole Green Lane, Wheathampstead

Barbara Green, Clerk to Wheathampstead Parish Council, Wheathampstead Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead.

This site was written by Cllr Judy Shardlow. If you have any comments or feedback please contact her on: 01582 629886 or cllr.j.shardlow@stalbans.gov.uk
 

This website is sponsored by Baobab IT Services Ltd who is not affiliated to any political party.  We are however a member of WEB (www.wheathampstead.org.uk) and are committed to making Wheathampstead a better place to live and do business in.