Question time on airport noise

Residents have a chance to quiz London Luton Airport executives about aircraft noise over St Albans and Harpenden.

Representatives of the company that manages the airport are to attend a public meeting about the issue next month.

They will be joined by three local residents’ groups that will give their views about the impact of changes to flight paths implemented in August 2015.
These are St Albans Quieter Skies, Harpenden Sky and the Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise.

Other residents may also submit written questions beforehand. The meeting has been arranged by the Planning, Resources and Housing Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City and District Council.

It will be held in the Council chamber at the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, on Wednesday 17 May from 7pm.

The Council approached the Airport last year to pass on concerns about the new route taken by planes, the number of flights and the noise.

Some residents to the north of St Albans had complained that noise had increased with the introduction of the new area navigation system (RNAV).

Marshalswick, Batchwood and Sandridge which lie on the southern edge of the RNAV route were particularly affected.

A review of RNAV by the Civil Aviation Authority is due to start in September this year after sufficient data has been gathered.

Tracy Harvey, the Council’s Head of Planning, said: “Aircraft noise is a concern for a number of people living in the District. 

“I’m sure they will want to take this opportunity to find out what London Luton Airport has been doing to address the issue.

“We welcome any questions that our residents want the Committee to put to the airport executives on their behalf.”

To send in a question, email scrutiny@stalbans.gov.uk by 9am Thursday 11 May or post a letter to the Scrutiny Officer, St Albans City and District
Council, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans AL1 3JE.

The questions may be put to the executives by Councillors and if requested people’s names and addresses will be kept confidential.

The meeting will be screened on the Council’s website: stalbans.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

Media contact:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council. Tel: 01727-296130
E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk