April 2012: This is the latest HarpendenSky.com bulletin including a copy of the
response to the LLA consultation as their online questionnaire is so biased in their favour with no space for serious protest.
Luton Airport [LLA] Masterplan Consultancy Deadline 25April
LLA now has a Masterplan online at www.london-luton.co.uk/masterplan.
For HarpendenSky.com members it is important that you ensure your district and local council candidates for the May 3 elections voice their support for our campaign objectives and those of aligned organisations Herts Against Luton Expansion [HALE covering Flamstead, Markyate & Redbourn] plus Save Our Skies in St Albans. This is an extract from a note to HarpendenSky.com from Theresa Heritage District Councellor after HarpendenSky.com engaged:
As you know I sit on the County Council as well as St Albans District Council and I have been involved with the drafting of the responses highlighting the problems with the plans of both the operator and the airport authority itself. You are also aware that I have supported your group [HarpendenSky.com] for many years in relation to night flights and overflying - this is not just me speaking but all local Conservative councillors.
It is unfortunate that you do not feel enough was said in the In Touch [mailer] by David [Heritage] and Rachel [Frosh], this was not intended as a slight of the importance of the subject but we have been consistent, as I have said, in our opposition and did not consider further expansion of the point. However we have listened and will make sure we will feedback more strongly to the community in the future.
You are obviously aware that the response to any Planning Application that is submitted to Luton Borough will be the most important document for us to respond to. The scoping consultation did not actually provide a robust enough evidence base so one did end up asking more questions than being able to answer any - when this comes and if I am in post at St Albans in my current capacity, I will ensure that a robust response is given and I am sure you will ensure an equally robust response from your colleagues.
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Luton Airport [LLA] Masterplan Consultancy Deadline 25April
LLA now has a Masterplan online at www.london-luton.co.uk/masterplan.
- LLA Masterplan Format:
There are 2 primary issues – the impact of the airport and airtraffic. Because LLA has almost no control over airtraffic this issue is not taken seriously as nowhere in the plan is NATS a contributor with a plan on how the airtraffic will be handled. The plan should be structured accordingly. - LLA Plan Item 2.1 Vision Issue DfT Forecasts:
The LLA plan misconstrues the DfT strategy which is for major airport hub consolidation with the infrastructure that can be environmentally and economically supported and sustained. The area around LLA, on land and in the sky, cannot support another 8million+ passengers. - LLA Plan Item 3.20 to 3.25 & 9.26: Noise
LLA has no direct control over flights [hence noise, pollution etc] as this is the responsibility of NATS. The EIA must include a plan from NATS demonstrating how the extra flights will be routed in terms of flightpath, height and frequency. - LLA Plan Item 9.22 & 9.25 Water Resources:
Veolia Water already has Herts and Beds under drought restrictions and the River Lea is a major source of Harpenden water supply. Another 8million+ passengers in south Beds at the expanded LLA will significantly impact water supplies to Harpenden. The EIA must independently forecast the water consumption and confirm the resource impact and what will be the consequences for wildlife. - LLA Plan Item 9.14 to 9.17
Jobs and the local economic consequences have been forecast in the LLA Masterplan by 2 organisations who stand to gain from the LLA plan execution. Independent research by Brian Sewell an ex-Treasury adviser suggests “The growth in airtravel is likely to lead to a net loss of a further 860,000 UK jobs by 2030. This loss of jobs will affect every part of the UK” Source: “Airport Jobs – False Hopes, Cruel Hoax” by Brendon Sewell. The LLA plan needs an independent assessment that takes Brendon Sewell’s insight into account.
For HarpendenSky.com members it is important that you ensure your district and local council candidates for the May 3 elections voice their support for our campaign objectives and those of aligned organisations Herts Against Luton Expansion [HALE covering Flamstead, Markyate & Redbourn] plus Save Our Skies in St Albans. This is an extract from a note to HarpendenSky.com from Theresa Heritage District Councellor after HarpendenSky.com engaged:
As you know I sit on the County Council as well as St Albans District Council and I have been involved with the drafting of the responses highlighting the problems with the plans of both the operator and the airport authority itself. You are also aware that I have supported your group [HarpendenSky.com] for many years in relation to night flights and overflying - this is not just me speaking but all local Conservative councillors.
It is unfortunate that you do not feel enough was said in the In Touch [mailer] by David [Heritage] and Rachel [Frosh], this was not intended as a slight of the importance of the subject but we have been consistent, as I have said, in our opposition and did not consider further expansion of the point. However we have listened and will make sure we will feedback more strongly to the community in the future.
You are obviously aware that the response to any Planning Application that is submitted to Luton Borough will be the most important document for us to respond to. The scoping consultation did not actually provide a robust enough evidence base so one did end up asking more questions than being able to answer any - when this comes and if I am in post at St Albans in my current capacity, I will ensure that a robust response is given and I am sure you will ensure an equally robust response from your colleagues.
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February 2012: HarpendenSky.com has been working with Peter Lilley on the subject
of the proposed Luton Airport Expansion with the following result so far. HarpendenSky.com consider the key subject is
aircraft routing which Mr Lilley has incorporated in his release.
LILLEY COMMENTS ON LUTON AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT
Peter Lilley, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, told constituents that Luton Borough Council’s plans for expansion at Luton Airport should be subject to two tests: first, can the noise of additional flights be offset by less noisy planes and better routing; second, can the existing or planned infrastructure cope with the burden of additional passenger traffic?
He said: “I shall pay close attention to views expressed during the planned local consultation. I have always argued that expansion plans must be subject to these two tests but the consultation may raise other issues. It was clear that the previous plans to convert Luton into a long haul airport with a jumbo jet a minute disgorging an extra 25 million passengers failed those tests. So I was delighted when it was withdrawn.
“That does not mean we should oppose all expansion outright if environmental and infrastructure problems can be overcome. We need the jobs, business and travel opportunities that Luton can generate. But I am surprised Luton Borough Council and the Airport operator are proposing plans on this scale before they have tackled the massive congestion at the entrance to the airport.”
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LILLEY COMMENTS ON LUTON AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT
Peter Lilley, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, told constituents that Luton Borough Council’s plans for expansion at Luton Airport should be subject to two tests: first, can the noise of additional flights be offset by less noisy planes and better routing; second, can the existing or planned infrastructure cope with the burden of additional passenger traffic?
He said: “I shall pay close attention to views expressed during the planned local consultation. I have always argued that expansion plans must be subject to these two tests but the consultation may raise other issues. It was clear that the previous plans to convert Luton into a long haul airport with a jumbo jet a minute disgorging an extra 25 million passengers failed those tests. So I was delighted when it was withdrawn.
“That does not mean we should oppose all expansion outright if environmental and infrastructure problems can be overcome. We need the jobs, business and travel opportunities that Luton can generate. But I am surprised Luton Borough Council and the Airport operator are proposing plans on this scale before they have tackled the massive congestion at the entrance to the airport.”
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November 2011: You may have read in the media that Redbourn and Flamstead
are now embroiled in the pressure upon Luton to ensure airtraffic follows the centre line of the Dover/Clacton exit path
to the West and South of Harpenden as originally inspired by the HarpendenSky campaign in 2010 and supported by Peter Lilley MP,
Teresa Heritage Councillor and John Bagshaw Harpenden Town Clerk plus regular reporting in the Herts Advertiser.
This is the latest information on the flightpath centreline navigation trail inspired by HarpendenSky.com with your support, agreed by Luton Airport and being undertaken initially with EasyJet.
Luton Airport Airfield Environment Office To HarpendenSky.com 5 Nov 2011: I can confirm that the easyJet trial to help contain flight routes within the existing 26 Clacton/Dover/Detling Noise Preferential Route (NPR) corridor is still underway. We have been working very closely with easyJet to find the best solution to help minimise the direct overflight of all the most densely populated areas south of the airfield before incorporating other airlines.
However, we anticipate that Monarch and other airlines will be following revised procedures within the next couple of weeks and whilst a small number of Luton departures on this heading may still overfly Harpenden, as a result of revised vectors by NATS, the vast majority should soon be following flightpaths within the NPR corridor, between Harpenden and St Albans.
You will appreciate that the trial has involved ongoing liaison with our airline partners, NATS and the CAA, as well as initial simulation work and analysis of flight track data. Progress on the trial is being reported to the London Luton Airport Consultative Committee (LLACC) and the Noise and Track Sub-Committee (NTSC) - a list of Committee members can be found on the LLACC website www.llacc.com. End.
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This is the latest information on the flightpath centreline navigation trail inspired by HarpendenSky.com with your support, agreed by Luton Airport and being undertaken initially with EasyJet.
Luton Airport Airfield Environment Office To HarpendenSky.com 5 Nov 2011: I can confirm that the easyJet trial to help contain flight routes within the existing 26 Clacton/Dover/Detling Noise Preferential Route (NPR) corridor is still underway. We have been working very closely with easyJet to find the best solution to help minimise the direct overflight of all the most densely populated areas south of the airfield before incorporating other airlines.
However, we anticipate that Monarch and other airlines will be following revised procedures within the next couple of weeks and whilst a small number of Luton departures on this heading may still overfly Harpenden, as a result of revised vectors by NATS, the vast majority should soon be following flightpaths within the NPR corridor, between Harpenden and St Albans.
You will appreciate that the trial has involved ongoing liaison with our airline partners, NATS and the CAA, as well as initial simulation work and analysis of flight track data. Progress on the trial is being reported to the London Luton Airport Consultative Committee (LLACC) and the Noise and Track Sub-Committee (NTSC) - a list of Committee members can be found on the LLACC website www.llacc.com. End.
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July 2011: Update on Brookmans Park Turn Project trial from Luton Airport Airfield Environment
Office received July 2011:
“I am pleased to report that easyJet are progressing with the trial, aiming to find an optimum flightpath along or just south of the NPR route centreline on the 26 Clacton/Dover/Detling flight route. This will then help avoid the direct overflight of Hemel Hempstead, Redbourn, Harpenden and St Albans, as is often the case with departures currently following this heading although Air Traffic Control may still, on occasions, tactically vector aircraft outside the NPR corridor at altitudes in excess of 3,000ft during the day or 4,000ft at night. We are still in the early stages of the trial but we continue to work closely with easyJet to find the best solution for all concerned before incorporating other airlines”.
Source: Luton Airport Airfield Environment Office 21 July 2011
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“I am pleased to report that easyJet are progressing with the trial, aiming to find an optimum flightpath along or just south of the NPR route centreline on the 26 Clacton/Dover/Detling flight route. This will then help avoid the direct overflight of Hemel Hempstead, Redbourn, Harpenden and St Albans, as is often the case with departures currently following this heading although Air Traffic Control may still, on occasions, tactically vector aircraft outside the NPR corridor at altitudes in excess of 3,000ft during the day or 4,000ft at night. We are still in the early stages of the trial but we continue to work closely with easyJet to find the best solution for all concerned before incorporating other airlines”.
Source: Luton Airport Airfield Environment Office 21 July 2011
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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE RT HON PETER LILLEY MP
Wednesday 25th May 2011
MP SUPPORTS LOCAL PROJECT TO MINIMISE PLANE NOISE OVER HARPENDEN
Peter Lilley has shown his support for the ‘Brookmans Park Turn Project’, which will ask pilots to hold to the centreline of the Dover/Clacton departure flight path. The Turn Project aims to alleviate the impact of air traffic on the daily lives of Harpenden residents by rerouting the increasing volume of air traffic currently over the town. When implemented, it has been estimated that it will take hundreds of Harpenden homes out of the noise zone.
Peter Lilley has paid tribute to the HarpendenSky.com campaign, which culminated in the Turn Project, saying: “I know from my mailbag that an increasing number of my constituents in Harpenden are being subjected to noise caused by aircraft overflights. I am very pleased that EasyJet have agreed to an initial trial to help improve track-keeping on this particular flight route.
“I hope that Luton Airport and EasyJet will come to a solution that will minimise noise to hundreds of Harpenden homes and have a real impact on the quality of life of Harpenden residents.”
“I wrote to Luton Airport to encourage the trial and am writing again to Glyn Jones, MD of Luton Airport, to thank him for this progress and encourage a positive outcome of the trial.”
ENDS
For further information, contact Annabel Palmer
palmerak@parliament.uk
Tel: 020 7219 4577
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Wednesday 25th May 2011
MP SUPPORTS LOCAL PROJECT TO MINIMISE PLANE NOISE OVER HARPENDEN
Peter Lilley has shown his support for the ‘Brookmans Park Turn Project’, which will ask pilots to hold to the centreline of the Dover/Clacton departure flight path. The Turn Project aims to alleviate the impact of air traffic on the daily lives of Harpenden residents by rerouting the increasing volume of air traffic currently over the town. When implemented, it has been estimated that it will take hundreds of Harpenden homes out of the noise zone.
Peter Lilley has paid tribute to the HarpendenSky.com campaign, which culminated in the Turn Project, saying: “I know from my mailbag that an increasing number of my constituents in Harpenden are being subjected to noise caused by aircraft overflights. I am very pleased that EasyJet have agreed to an initial trial to help improve track-keeping on this particular flight route.
“I hope that Luton Airport and EasyJet will come to a solution that will minimise noise to hundreds of Harpenden homes and have a real impact on the quality of life of Harpenden residents.”
“I wrote to Luton Airport to encourage the trial and am writing again to Glyn Jones, MD of Luton Airport, to thank him for this progress and encourage a positive outcome of the trial.”
ENDS
For further information, contact Annabel Palmer
palmerak@parliament.uk
Tel: 020 7219 4577
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We have been quietly working away on the Brookmans Park Turn Project that was agreed by Luton Airport as a consequence of the media and political campaign HarpendenSky.com ran at the end of 2010. The project will ask pilots to hold to the centreline of the Dover/Clacton departure flightpath which has caused such disturbance in the past. When implemented we estimate this will take 100s of west and south Harpenden homes out of the noise zone!
The project starts with an EasyJet trial and this is the latest information from Luton Airport dated 19th May 2011:
"With regard to the Brookmans Park project, I can confirm that, following detailed discussions and simulation work, easyJet are currently carrying out an initial trial to help improve track-keeping on this particular flight route. We will be closely monitoring the actual flown tracks of those aircraft participating in the trial and liaising with easyJet to find the best solution."
Regards
Karen Goodman
Airfield Environment Office
London Luton Airport
The HarpendenSky.com campaign culminating in the Brookmans Park Turn Project has had political support from Peter Lilley MP and Teresa Heritage District Councillor plus John Bagshaw Harpenden Town Clerk, all of whom were persuaded to write to Luton Airport and encourage the trial. Similarly HarpendenSky.com has received front page editorial from the Herts Advertiser. We will keep you posted.
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The project starts with an EasyJet trial and this is the latest information from Luton Airport dated 19th May 2011:
"With regard to the Brookmans Park project, I can confirm that, following detailed discussions and simulation work, easyJet are currently carrying out an initial trial to help improve track-keeping on this particular flight route. We will be closely monitoring the actual flown tracks of those aircraft participating in the trial and liaising with easyJet to find the best solution."
Regards
Karen Goodman
Airfield Environment Office
London Luton Airport
The HarpendenSky.com campaign culminating in the Brookmans Park Turn Project has had political support from Peter Lilley MP and Teresa Heritage District Councillor plus John Bagshaw Harpenden Town Clerk, all of whom were persuaded to write to Luton Airport and encourage the trial. Similarly HarpendenSky.com has received front page editorial from the Herts Advertiser. We will keep you posted.
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NEW BREAKTHROUGH: Brookmans Park Turn Project
Luton Airport are now running a trial with EasyJet to hold
air traffic to the CENTRELINE of the Dover/Clacton Exit route which will alleviate disturbance from Luton departures for the majority of south Harpenden residents. This significant announcement came at a meeting between HarpendenSky.com and Neil Thompson Operations Director Luton Airport accompanied by Karen Goodman Luton Airport Airfield Environment Office. The more precise navigation routing is known as the Brookmans Park Turn Project and will be implemented from Spring 2011. Stay in touch with HarpendenSky.com for updates.
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NATS Terminal Control North Postponement
NATS state “The downturn in air traffic levels since the 2008 consultation on proposed changes in the Terminal Control North (TCN) area, means there is less urgency on capacity grounds to achieve the changes”. This is completely irrational for the following reasons:
- Airtraffic Today: when TCN was originated and justified back in 2006 the airtraffic levels were similar to today.
- Airtraffic Volume: the low cost airlines that predominate in TCN airspace are not seeing declines – EasyJet has just announced in October 2010 a record set of results with passenger traffic up 8% to 4.77million passengers and “There’s no trend towards staycations we have seen,” said spokesman Oliver Aust. “People took their foreign vacations.” Source: Telegraph 7 Oct 2010.
- NATS Competence: Easyjet criticises outdated air traffic systems with CEO Ms Carolyn McCall calling for “European governments and the European Commission to modernise Europe’s outdated system of air traffic control providers” Source: Telegraph 7 Oct 2010.
- CAA Safety Plan 2009-2011: In the plan statistics for “high severity occurrence rates” for large passenger aircraft show an alarming 250%+ increase by comparing 2009 to 2004 and it continues to increase with stats provided to www.HarpendenSky.com by the CAA under the FoI Act. This further endorses the www.HarpendenSky.com opinion that NATS decision on TCN is completely irrational when safety risk is growing so dramatically including across the crowded skies north of London.
Luton Departure Short Cuts
Peter Lilley MP has joined the www.HarpendenSky.com campaign in taking up with the CAA CEO Andrew Haines the frequent “short cuts” across Harpenden being taken by Luton aircraft rather than holding to the centre of the Noise Preferential Routes like Dover/Clacton.
Luton air traffic control has predominantly been transferred to NATS at Swanick near Southampton and www.HarpendenSky.com believe they have no idea of the fury they are generating with this mis-direction of flights.
In addition these aircraft at being routed across populated areas of Harpenden at 4,000feet or less in direct contravention of government guidelines which require 7,000feet minimum.
In addition to noise and stress this is an environmental issue as extra tons of noxious gasses are being dumped on the town as aircraft engines burn fuel at a far higher rate when flying at 4,000feet or less than they do at 7,000feet and above.
Luton air traffic control has predominantly been transferred to NATS at Swanick near Southampton and www.HarpendenSky.com believe they have no idea of the fury they are generating with this mis-direction of flights.
In addition these aircraft at being routed across populated areas of Harpenden at 4,000feet or less in direct contravention of government guidelines which require 7,000feet minimum.
In addition to noise and stress this is an environmental issue as extra tons of noxious gasses are being dumped on the town as aircraft engines burn fuel at a far higher rate when flying at 4,000feet or less than they do at 7,000feet and above.