Bim Afolami MP has published the response he submitted to London Luton Airport as part of their post-implementation review of the Air Navigation system (RNAV) that was brought in in 2015.
In his response, Mr Afolami highlighted the increase in complaints since the change had been brought in. He asked the Civil Aviation Authority whether they were considering changes that would see planes getting higher more quickly and whether they could implement respite routes to take some of the pressure off those who are constantly affected by high noise levels.
Mr Afolami said: “A substantial number of my constituents are badly affected by aircraft noise, and over the past 12 months or so it has got worse. The increase in complaints clearly demonstrates a growing problem and the inescapable fact that the RNAV has not had the anticipated impact and benefits set out in the Airspace Change Proposal. I have asked the Civil Aviation Authority to change the route to enable planes to climb faster and higher after takeoff (which should reduce noise) and to introduce alternative routes to alleviate the pressure on parts of Sandridge, Wheathampstead and Harpenden. There is clearly lots of work to be done, and I am also keeping up the pressure on Luton Airport to make sure they do everything they can to help improve the situation for Hertfordshire residents.”
Mr Afolami’s response in full can be found on his website: https://www.bimafolami.co.uk/pdfs/PIR-response.pdf