Response to nightflights consultation

Published on Thu 15th Sep 2005

Department for Transport

Aviation Environmental Division

Zone 1/34

Great Minster House

76 Marsham Street

London SW1 4DR

Tuesday September 13th 2005

Dear Karen

Re: Night flights consultation

I am writing to strongly oppose the expansion of night flights from 5,800 to 6420 by 2012. Indeed rather than increasing night flights the Government should be looking to reduce or end the number of night-time aircraft movements.

Others will have written in great detail on the technical issues and are better placed to do so. What I can testify to however is the growing strength of feeling against this move and the negative impact that night flights are having on the quality of life of local people.

Consistently over time, a wide range of people have contacted me concerned that night flights and aircraft noise are disrupting their lives. These people are angry and distressed at being woken up in the early hours of the morning. Once awake they find it hard to get back to sleep; mothers complain of children woken the night before important exams, professionals are concerned that they are unable to get a decent night's sleep before going to work. These are not members of organized pressure groups or campaigners but individuals and local businesses who would not normally contact me.

Although we are constantly told that planes are quieter, they are clearly still loud enough to severely disrupt people's lives. This should be the real test of noise rather than formal and technical measurements that fail to reflect the reality of living under the flight path.

The quality of life in London is absolutely crucial for the future of our City. If London gets a reputation as a City where people's sleep is disrupted and where there is difficulty dealing with aircraft noise during the day, this will have a far greater impact on jobs and business location than any economic benefits that can be gained from a few flights at night.

I feel that the Government has not taken these significant issues into account and urge you to put an end to this unacceptable proposal.

Yours sincerely,

Susan Kramer MP for Richmond Park