The Department of Transport has published a scoping document entitled "Developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation" and has asked for replies to a number of questions. Included within these is the following:

"Is it better to minimise the total number of people affected by aircraft noise (e.g. through noise preferential routes) or to share the burden more evenly (e.g. through wider flight path dispersion) so that a greater number of people are affected by noise less frequently?"

It is well documented that the number of overflying aircraft per unit time is one of the key noise issues for local residents. Arrivals at Gatwick average one every two minutes meaning that those on the flight path have unbearable living conditions. We believe that dispersal of flight paths will result in a frequency of overflying aircraft that is tolerable for everyone and in addition can result in desperately sought respite - something that those near Heathrow already enjoy.

Encouragingly the paper says the following:

"There is fairly broad consensus that night noise is the least acceptable impact of aircraft operations. At a number of airports, it continues to be a major concern for local residents....we wish to explore options for a more effective night flying regime at these three London airports that seeks to provide respite to local residents".

We completely agree that respite at night is vitally important for the health and wellbeing of those affected by aircraft noise.

Download the scoping document from here