I have submitted more evidence to the recent Heathrow consultation about the need to reduce aircraft noise, and have received an answer to my recent Parliamentary Question:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to limit aircraft noise over Wokingham constituency. (270234)
Tabled on: 27 June 2019
Answer:
Michael Ellis:
The Government recognises that aviation noise is a key concern for communities that aircraft fly over, including areas such as Wokingham.
As part of its forthcoming Aviation Strategy, the Government has put forward a number of proposals designed to incentivise the aviation industry to successfully modernise airspace. The benefits of airspace modernisation are well known. For example, it should allow aircraft to climb more quickly than they can at present, and descend continuously, both of which will have a noticeable noise reduction benefit for overflown communities.
The Government has also taken forward proposals for additional ways of representing communities’ exposure to noise and requirements for optional analysis and consultation that will ensure communities are more engaged in the future decisions around airspace that affect them.
London Heathrow Airport is developing its proposal for the Compton departure route, the operation of which affects communities near Wokingham. We expect that London Heathrow Airport will consult on its proposals next year, and this will provide an opportunity for communities to influence the final design for this departure route.
The answer was submitted on 04 Jul 2019 at 12:20.
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July 4, 2019
The 737 Max is very modern and quiet but I’d sooner have a BAE Typhoon flying overhead. Better still move to somewhere that isn’t an aerial motorway.
July 9, 2019
Noise is always a problem on the Reading Road in Winnersh, Wokingham where I live. The noise of cars constantly running up & down never ends. To be honest you could have constant planes going over head & I’d never hear them. Because the relentless noise of cars drowns everything out. I long for the day I can hear a plane.
On a more important note- where has Winnersh post office gone? I needed the service today & my mother took my parcels up there. And came back soon after telling me it was permanently closed down. My returns couldn’t be sent. I’m bed-bound & can’t leave my home. How do I get them sent back now! My family has no car & can’t take them to town.
Reply
The Post Office tell me it is a temporary closure but cannot say when it will re open
July 14, 2019
It is clear that for all the meetings and parliamentary questions, the changes to the flight path made by NATS and Heathrow a few years ago, that have created significant increased noise pollution to Wokingham, will not be reversed. All the talk about consultation seems to be merely a PR exercise. The number of out of hours (between 11.00 pm and 6.00 am. also seems to be increasing, so the message to Wokingham looks to be “suck it up, because we can do what we like”.