Monitoring flight paths

Theresa is often contacted by constituents who are concerned about the levels of aircraft noise over Maidenhead, Twyford and the local area. Given that this is already a cause for concern, many local people were devastated by the previous Government’s plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. The expansion would have resulted in thousands of additional flights, increased noise and more pollution for thousands of people. Theresa has welcomed the news that the current Government has cancelled the third runway project, but she is still keen to monitor developments and respond to concerns raised by local people about flight paths.

Some of the concerns that Theresa has raised about flight paths over the local area include:

• Noise. Many local residents are badly affected by aircraft noise and Theresa is clear that there should be no increase in the overall noise footprint of Heathrow Airport. Theresa is carefully monitoring any proposed changes to flight paths to ensure that they do not have a negative effect on the local area.
• Night flights. The previous Government’s consultation on Heathrow stated that ‘the addition of a third runway might provide the opportunity to increase movements in the night period’. It is essential that safeguards are in place to restrict night flights over residential areas and Theresa pressed for a commitment from the previous Government to this effect.
• Emissions. Considering the increase in both air traffic and also the likely increase in passenger road traffic, it is not clear how expansion of Heathrow would be consistent with national targets for tackling climate change and cutting CO2 emissions, as well as EU requirements on Nitrogen Dioxide.

Theresa is regularly in contact with the Civil Aviation Authority, NATS and the Department for Transport regarding flight paths over the local area. If you have any issues of concern then please do contact her.