Southampton Airport has launched a 16-week public consultation on its proposed plans to “continue managing aircraft noise impacts over the next five years”.The Airport is seeking views on its draft Noise Action Plan until October 2. It says its plan will then be reviewed and, where possible, views and comments will be incorporated into a revised plan which will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport by November 30. Once agreed, the plan will be in place from 2010 — 2015.
“We aim to manage the issue of aircraft noise in a pro-active and sensitive way, as we understand that for some local people it can be a real concern,” said Stewart Smith, Environment & Surface Access Manager. “Our responsibility extends beyond the airport boundary, so we want to know what people think of our draft plans for the next five years before we finalise them for submission to the Government later in 2009.”
Speaking to the BBC Chris Bluemel, from Against eXpansion at Eastleigh (AXE) said: "The plan only accounts for the noise of each plane, not the frequency, and with flights increasing under the expansion plans the problem is going to get worse.”
The Airport told the BBC that the proposals had been drawn up with expansion plans in mind, and that “plans to increase flights were continuing.”
You can access the proposed plan from this BAA website page , and complete the online survey about the proposed plan here.
Links
BBC report on noise consultation 17/6/09
Noise police to patrol skies around Southampton International Airport - Daily Echo 18/6/09
Against eXpansion at Eastleigh (AXE)
Southampton Airport