 Make sure you have your say on airport noise.
The Glasgow Airport consultations on a Noise Action Plan and proposals to modernise the use of airspace are now well underway. With just under 6 weeks left before the consultations close it is time to make sure that you help shape the future policies of the airport by submitting your views. As many of you will already know, I have been working on a solution to the problem of aircraft noise for a very long time now. I’ve held numerous meetings with the management of the airport, local community representatives and local authority officers over the years. It’s an important issue as aircraft noise has significant repercussions for the sleep patterns, health and educational achievement of those people worse effected. World Health Organisation standards state that 50dBA of noise constitutes “annoyance” with “serious annoyance” kicking in at 55dBA. That’s why I commissioned research and contracted experts to retro fit noise reduction measures to a house in Clydebank. Special roof-space insulation was installed which, as well as having noise dampening properties has the added advantage of high thermal properties so cuts down on heat loss thus reduces heating bills. Triple glazed windows were installed in a bedroom and that completed the project. I’m pleased to say that this experiment was an overwhelming success, reducing the noise penetration in a bedroom from 63dBA before installation to 45dBA (well within World Health Organisation standards) after installation. When I presented my research to the Airport they agreed with my findings and I am delighted that they have voluntarily agreed to set up a retro fit scheme for the worst affected communities. Details of the scheme will be developed over the next few months. The voluntary nature of the scheme is important as all control and legislation relating to aircraft rests with the UK Government in Westminster. The only power which our Government has is in ensuring that a Noise Action Plan consultation takes place every 5 years. This year’s consultation includes the potential for reducing the threshold to qualify for an insulation package from 66dBA to 63dBA. That’s why it is really important that as many people as possible take part. You can find the consultation document here www.glasgowairport.com/community/noise. The other consultation taking place is entitled “Glasgow Airport Modernising Our Flightpaths is about proposals to upgrade navigational infrastructure technology in a bid to make better use of airspace. The document for this consultation can be found here www.glasgowairport.com/airspace I appreciate that not everyone has access to email so if you would like to take part in the consultation in a more traditional form you can do so by writing to Airspace/Noise Consultation, Glasgow Airport Limited, Erskine Court, St Andrews Drive, Paisley, PA3 2SW Make sure you indicate that you are responding to the consultation. ENDS |
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