Climbdown over night flights comes as a welcome relief

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Government U-Turn celebrated across Hounslow

In a victorious u-turn, Aviation Minister Gillian Merron agreed earlier this week that the number of nightflights at Heathrow would remain capped ‘Giving Hounslow what Hounslow needs.’

This strapline sums up the campaign launched by the council over 18 months ago to maintain or reduce the number of night flights at Heathrow. Partial success with this agenda was achieved as recently as May when the Government agreed to maintain the night-time movement limit for a period of six years.

In the Civil Aviation Bill, due to become law this autumn, the Government wanted to abolish the limit on the number of flights between 11.30 and 6am at Heathrow. This clause was twice defeated in the Lords largely due to lobbying carried out by Hounslow Council. The Government has now confirmed they will not try to reinstate the clause when the Bill returns to the Commons again in the autumn.

The Government acknowledged the problem of noise from night-time aircraft operations in its 2003 Aviation White Paper and promised to “bear down on night noise accordingly”. It claimed its proposed noise quota scheme would help to combat the problem despite experts warning that it could lead to a four-fold increase in night flights from Heathrow.

Cllr Reid, the new lead member for Aviation at the London Borough of Hounslow said “The noise impact from Heathrow affects the entire community and has always received cross-party backing. We will continue to do everything in our power to improve the quality of life for our residents in the borough, and we are delighted the Government has come ‘round to our way of thinking. It goes without saying this issue, which affects the health and well-being of the entire community will continue to receive our full support.

“The decision to maintain the cap on nightflights was a victory for commonsense”, she added, and thanked former lead member for Aviation, Cllr Ruth Cadbury for her dedication and hard work with the Heathrow campaign during the last administration. This victory will give added impetus to the campaign against the third runway at Heathrow and the possible loss of runway alternation.”

Cllr Ruth Cadbury, said "I am delighted that the Government has listened to our views, and we have achieved our aim of keeping the limit on night flights. Hounslow's residents live in the noisiest environment in Britain, and whilst they would prefer an absolute ban on night flights, they can be reassured that things will get no worse. Night flights provide no economic benefit to the UK, yet they make residents' lives a misery.”

This decision removes the threat of increased night flights in 2012, which comes as a welcome relief to many Hounslow residents.

July 26, 2006