ELECTION CANDIDATES UNITED IN OPPOSING CONCENTRATED FLIGHT PATHS

PRESS RELEASE

 6/6/17 for immediate use

 ELECTION CANDIDATES UNITED IN OPPOSING CONCENTRATED FLIGHT PATHS

 

At an election hustings meeting last night in Leytonstone all candidates opposed London City Airport’s controversial decision to concentrate its flight paths.  The decision, implemented in February 2016, provoked at record number of complaints.  And last night all four candidates standing in the Leyton and Wanstead constituency supported calls for a review of the concentrated routes.

Much of the constituency has been badly hit by the new flight paths.  The area also is overflown by aircraft from Heathrow.  When the audience at the meeting was asked their views on a third runway nobody supported it.

John Stewart, chair of campaign group HACAN East, said, “It is no surprise to us that there was so much concern about London City’s flight paths and zero support for Heathrow area.  The whole area is plagued by noisy aircraft from both airports.  Indeed, Waltham Forest is the third most overflown borough in London.”

ENDS

 Notes for Editors:

(1). The meeting was held on Monday 5th June in St John’s Church, Leytonstone, High St. 

(2). The candidates were John Cryer, Labour (centre of photo); Laura Farris, Conservative (far left in photo); Ashley Gunstock, Green (4th from right); Ben Sims, Liberal Democrat (3rd from right).  Others in the photo are local campaigners plus the vicar of St John’s Church.

For more information: John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650

Survey confirms Waltham Forest 3rd most overflown borough in London

Press Release

3/1/17 for immediate use

 

  SURVEY CONFIRMS WALTHAM FOREST THE THIRD MOST OVERFLOWN BOROUGH IN LONDON

Research carried out by the campaign group HACAN has CONFIRMED that Waltham Forest is the third most overflown borough in London (1).  Although Hounslow and Richmond occupy first and second place, the survey revealed that only three of the top 12 most overflown boroughs are in West London.

HACAN calculated the combined impact of Heathrow and London City aircraft on each borough.  It didn’t factor in the heights of the planes; only the number flying over each borough.  It follows up a similar study carried out in 2009.  It also put Hounslow, Richmond and Waltham Forest in the top three positions.

HACAN chair John Stewart said, “Our survey once again shows that aircraft noise is not just confined to West London.  It has become a London-wide problem.  Somewhere like Waltham Forest is bombarded by planes from both Heathrow and London City airports.”

HACAN found that the most significant change from the 2009 survey was the reduction in the number of flights over some of the inner London boroughs such as Camden and Islington.  This was matched by an increase in flights over the South East London boroughs of Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth.  It put it down to the introduction of concentrated London City flight paths over these boroughs plus the fact that aircraft coming into land at Heathrow appear to be crossing the Thames further east than was previously the case.

The study comes out at the start of an important year for aviation.  In a few weeks the Government is expected to release its consultation document on a Heathrow third runway as well as a consultation on future airspace strategy.

ENDS

 Notes for Editors: 

 (1).  http://hacan.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Most-overflown-boroughs-in-London-2016.pdf

For further information:

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650 

PUBLIC MEETING ON CONCENTRATED FLIGHT PATHS

Press Release

 1/12/16 for immediate use

 PUBLIC MEETING ON CONCENTRATED FLIGHT PATHS

Len Duvall, the London Assembly member for Lewisham and Greenwich, will speak at a Public Meeting, organized by campaign group HACAN East, in Catford on Wednesday 7th December (1) to discuss the controversial new flight paths London City Airport introduced earlier this year.  The airport narrowed its flight paths so they are now all concentrated over particular communities rather than being more dispersed as they were previously.  Particularly badly hit are North-East London and parts of South London.  The areas impacted in South London include Eltham, Lee, Catford, Dulwich, Brixton, Stockwell and Vauxhall.  London City Airport will be reviewing its flight paths in 2017.

HACAN East chair John Stewart said, “This meeting is another chance for people to show the opposition there is to these concentrated flight paths and to put renewed pressure on City Airport to look again at them.”

ENDS

 Notes for Editors:

 (1). 7th December, 7.30 – 9pm, St. Laurence Church,37 Bromley Road, Catford,SE6 2TS   http://www.stlaurencecatford.org.uk/

Nearest stations: Catford and Catford Bridge.

Speakers include Len Duvall, the London Assembly member for Greenwich and Lewisham

For more information:  John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650

 

GOVERNMENT DECISION TO ALLOW CITY AIRPORT TO EXPAND 'A DOUBLE WHAMMY' FOR RESIDENTS

Press Release

 27/7/16 for immediate use

 PERMISSION TO EXPAND CITY AIRPORT ‘A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR RESIDENTS’

 The Government today announced that it has granted London City Airport permission to expand (1).  It endorsed the recommendation of the Inspector who heard the evidence a Public Inquiry earlier this year.  The airport can now go-ahead with building a new taxiway and larger parking spaces to accommodate the bigger planes it wants to use at the airport.  But campaign group HACAN East has said it is bad news for residents.

 HACAN East chair John Stewart said: “Residents face a double whammy.  Earlier this year London City concentrated all its flight paths.  Today the people under these flight paths face the prospect of more and larger planes.”

 Stewart added, “The airport claims that the expansion will create over a thousand jobs.  That is in the realm of speculation.  What is certain is that residents’ quality of life will get worse.”

 ENDS

(1). https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/planning-applications-called-in-decisions-and-recovered-appeals

LIKELY AUTUMN DECISION FOR CITY AIRPORT EXPANSION

PRESS RELEASE

17 MAY 2016

 For immediate use

 LIKELY AUTUMN DECISION FOR CITY AIRPORT EXPANSION

At the closing of the second Inquiry into expansion of City Airport on Tuesday, the Planning Inspector made it clear that he will complete his report by early July where it will then pass to the Secretaries of State for Transport and Local Government for a final decision expected in early autumn.

Today’s inquiry heard evidence City Airport, HACAN East and a powerful plea from Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Borough Council, for residents’ concerns to be given proper consideration in the Inspector’s recommendation to the Government.

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN East, said: “We firmly believe that this expansion would not be in the interests of people living around or under the City Airport flight paths. There is a lot at stake in the outcome of this Inquiry.”

 Ends.

 For more information

Rob Barnstone: robert.barnstone@outlook.com; 07806 947050

 

 

DECISION OVER FUTURE OF LONDON CITY AIRPORT DOES NOT REST WITH SADIQ KHAN

PRESS RELEASE

11 MAY 2016

 For immediate use

 DECISION OVER FUTURE OF LONDON CITY AIRPORT DOES NOT REST WITH SADIQ KHAN

Sadiq Khan, the new Mayor of London, in one of his very first acts, has instructed GLA Land to withdraw its objection to London City Airport’s Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of Royal Docks Land, following new evidence supplied by the Airport.

However, a final decision on expansion is not in his hands but those of the Planning Inspector, who will make a recommendation to both Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Communities Secretary Greg Clark, following the main planning inquiry into expansion of City Airport concluded in April.

London City Airport wish to compulsorily purchase 26.4 hectares of GLA land to facilitate their CADP1 expansion programme which includes parts of the London Plan protected Blue Ribbon Network.

GLA Land was one of four remaining objectors alongside the DLR, who were objecting for reasons that included the unacceptable risk to passengers, and HACAN East the community group that represents residents under the flight path.

The Inquiry has been adjourned until Tuesday 17 May as negotiations between the Airport and the DLR continue, with agreement deemed highly likely. HACAN East will remain as non-statutory objectors and will present their evidence next week, as well as the Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Council, Cllr. Clyde Loakes and John Cryer, MP for Leyton & Wanstead.

This CPO Inquiry follows the previous inquiry which ended on 5 April into the previous Mayor of London’s decision to refuse expansion of City Airport on noise grounds. The Planning Inspector will now make a recommendation to both Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Communities Secretary Greg Clark.

Robert Barnstone, Campaign coordinator for HACAN East, said: “Advocates of expansion at City Airport should get less, not more excited at this stage as this changes nothing. City Airport’s new PR team are claiming this is a bigger victory for them when in reality we will know the outcome of the main planning inquiry later this summer, once the Planning Inspector has reported to the relevant Secretaries of State. Nothing has changed.”

Ends.

For more information

Rob Barnstone: robert.barnstone@outlook.com; 07806 947050

 

DESPERATION KICKS IN AT CITY AIRPORT

DESPERATION KICKS IN AT CITY AIRPORT

Local residents group HACAN East dismissed a new “community pledge” for the London Borough of Waltham Forest as both “desperate and irrelevant.”  The plan, launched by London City Airport on Thursday, highlights a “five-point community pledge” for residents of Waltham Forest. The plan offers nothing specific for the borough

Read More

RESIDENTS GROUP WINS CONCESSION AT CITY AIRPORT EXPANSION PUBLIC INQUIRY

PRESS RELEASE

5 APRIL 2016

For Immediate Release

 RESIDENTS GROUP WINS CONCESSION AT CITY AIRPORT EXPANSION PUBLIC INQUIRY

On the last day of the Public Inquiry into London City Airport’s expansion plan, local residents group HACAN East won an important concession, requiring Newham Council to hold a council meeting each year to explain how it is overseeing City Airport’s commitment to provide sound insulation for local residents, if the plans are approved.

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN East, said: ”This is an important concession. In the past, Newham Council has not ensured that City Airport fulfilled all its promises to provide agreed insulation for local people.”

The Inquiry closed on 5 April and the result is expected to be known in the summer [1]. The Planning Inspector will make a recommendation to the Government, who will make a final decision to either grant or refuse permission for the Airport to expand.

If City Airport is allowed to expand, it will build a new taxiway to allow larger planes to use the airport. HACAN East is opposed to the expansion, but welcomed the decision that, if approval is granted, Newham Council will be held publicly accountable for enforcing City Airports commitments to provide better sound insulation for residents.

 Ends.

Notes:

[1] HACAN East’s closing statement to the Inquiry. http://static1.squarespace.com/static/56507de4e4b018da2a5ce870/t/5703a618ab48deec980d1034/1459856921310/HACAN+East+Closing+Statement.pdf

For more information

Rob Barnstone: robert.barnstone@outlook.com; 07806 947050

John Stewart: johnstewart2@btconnect.com; 020 7737 6641

 

City Airport Public Inquiry: HACAN East calls for insulation to match the best in Europe

PRESS RELEASE

 22 MARCH 2016

 For Immediate Release

City Airport Public Inquiry: HACAN East calls for insulation to match the best in Europe

HACAN East, the resident-led group opposing expansion of London City Airport called for insulation offered by City Airport to match the best in Europe.  The call came during the opening week of the Public Inquiry into the airport’s expansion plans.

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN East, said: "We are calling for City Airport to offer compensation for residents that match the levels offered by the best airports in Europe. If expansion goes ahead the number of people overflown by City Airport planes will be higher than that of any airport in the UK, other than Heathrow and Manchester.  Airports like Frankfurt or Charles de Gaulle in Paris are twice as generous with the insulation schemes offered to residents as London City,"

City Airport wants to enlarge the airport to allow larger aircraft to use it.  Newham Council, the planning authority, gave permission for the airport to expand in February 2015, but this was overturned by Boris Johnson, London’s mayor, on noise grounds the following month. The airport appealed against the Mayor’s decision.  The result is this public inquiry.  

Lawyers for the Mayor argued in the opening week of the Inquiry that City Airport should compensate more people than it is prepared to do in the event of expansion happening.

HACAN East remains firmly opposed to the expansion.

The Inquiry is expected to last until April 7.

ENDS.

 

For more information:

Robert Barnstone - robert.barnstone@outlook.com; 07806 947050

 

ANTI-NOISE GHETTOS RESIDENTS GROUP SEEKS FUNDING FOR “CAMPAIGN OF A LIFETIME”

Local resident-led group HACAN East today launches a crowdfunding campaign to fight the new, concentrated flight paths for planes to and from London City Airport.

HACAN East is seeking to raise £25,000 through crowdfunding, in order to campaign to reverse these changes within 12 months, when the Civil Aviation Authority reviews airspace changes. [1] This will help re-establish the local quality of life in the affected communities...

Read More

NO 3RD RUNWAY AT HEATHROW, SAY LEYTON & LEYTONSTONE RESIDENTS

PRESS RELEASE

1 MARCH 2016

For Immediate Release

 NO 3RD RUNWAY AT HEATHROW, SAY LEYTON & LEYTONSTONE RESIDENTS

 A group of local residents and campaigners gathered in Leytonstone last week to voice their opposition to a third runway being built at Heathrow.

The action was part of a wider campaign highlighting the seven hurdles Heathrow’s plan for a third runway cannot overcome, which saw many communities in central and west London last week highlight their opposition to the project.

The seven hurdles highlight the impacts of noise, air pollution, climate change, costs to the taxpayer, destruction of homes, widespread opposition to the project and safety & security issues. (1)

Rob Barnstone, Campaign Co-Ordinator for HACAN East said: “Despite Leytonstone and surrounding areas being 30 miles from Heathrow, many residents come to us to complain about the noise from Heathrow aircraft. It is important that when considering to build a new runway, the Government takes into account the impact on areas outside the immediate vicinity too.”

 Barnstone added: “The busy airspace in Leyton and Leytonstone mean that residents not only face the impact of the recent concentrated flight paths on routes from London City Airport, but continue to face disturbances from Heathrow traffic; the impacts of more noise over these areas give residents a poorer quality of life.”

 If a third runway was approved, east London would face hundreds of thousands more flights, affecting a very densely populated part of the capital. Currently, Waltham Forest is the third most overflown borough in London, just behind Hounslow and Richmond, both close to Heathrow. (2)

Sidney Barrat, Leyton resident, said: “I have lived in Leyton for 50 years and now, aircraft noise is waking me up before 6am, then continuing every couple of minutes for the rest of the day. I’m concerned about the impacts even more flights will have on me and the rest of Waltham Forest, particularly in the summer time.”

HACAN East is a sister organisation of long-standing residents group HACAN. HACAN East also oppose the expansion of London City Airport and the concentrated flight paths across east London.

The Government will decide whether it supports the building of a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick in the summer.

Ends.

Notes:

(1) http://hacan.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7-pages-Briefing-sheets.pdf

(2) http://hacan.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Most-overflown-boroughs-in-London.pdf

 For more information

 Rob Barnstone: robert.barnstone@outlook.com; 07806 94705

NOISE GHETTOS BEGIN TOMORROW

PRESS RELEASE

3 February 2016

For Immediate Release

NOISE GHETTOS BEGIN TOMORROW

From tomorrow (4 February) City Airport will be concentrating flight paths over hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and workplaces across East and south-east London.

The flight paths change will affect many communities across East and south-east London, including:

East London, affected by City aircraft when the wind blows to the west:

Bow, Leyton, Leytonstone, Wanstead, Redbridge, Barkingside, Collier Row, Harold Hill

East London, affected by City aircraft when the wind blows to the east:

Barking Riverside, Dagenham, Elm Park, Hornchurch

South-East London, affected by City aircraft when the wind blows to the east and Heathrow when the wind blows to the west:

Bexley, Sidcup, Mottingham, New Eltham, Catford, Dulwich Village, Herne Hill, Brixton, Stockwell, Vauxhall

Many in these communities will not have heard about these changes. Many parts of south-east London will now be overflown 100% of the time, as Heathrow aircraft fly over these areas on days when the wind blows to the west.

HACAN East Chair John Stewart said: "City Airport have completely failed to inform the vast majority of residents, who will notice a significant change in their daily lives. In many communities, a "noise ghetto" will simply be the most appropriate description for what is about to happen"

HACAN East is in discussion with lawyers about mounting a Judicial Review. We will make this decision in coming weeks.

City Airport announced its intention to concentrate flight paths in September 2014. The consultation document was buried deep on its website. 

HACAN East was left to hold its own meetings in Leytonstone and Wanstead during the Consultation period. (2) These meetings were attended by hundreds of outraged residents.

Ends.

Notes

(1) Full information about the changes to the flight paths

        http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/Module%20B%20final.pdf (page 26 indistinct map for South London and p27 for Thamesmead).

        http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/B05-LCAL_A_ConsultationDocumentIssue1.0.pdf (page 24 for Dagenham and page 26 for Leyton and Leytonstone)

(2) http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11602524.Further_public_meeting_arranged_on_flight_path_changes/

For more information:

Rob Barnstone, Campaign Co-Ordinator HACAN East - 07806 947050; robert.barnstone@outlook.com

John Stewart - 020 7737 6641; johnstewart2@btconnect.com

HACAN EAST BACKS GREEN PARTY PLAN TO CLOSE CITY AIRPORT

PRESS RELEASE

18 January 2016

For immediate use

HACAN EAST BACKS GREEN PARTY PLAN FOR CITY AIRPORT

Local resident-led group HACAN East, who opposes the expansion of London City Airport, welcomes the announcement by Sian Berry, the Green Party candidate for London Mayor, that City Airport should be closed and the site redeveloped into a new housing, social and business hub in the London Borough of Newham. (1)

HACAN East Chair John Stewart said: “Sian Berry’s plan makes both environmental and economic sense. It would cut create jobs and economic benefits while at the same time cutting noise and pollution.”

The Airport is up for sale, with bids from prospective buyers currently under consideration. The Green Party also launched a petition to one of the potential purchasers, urging them to look at the case made for a change in the use of the airport’s site. (1)

A recent report by the New Economics Foundation and commissioned by HACAN East, showed that the redevelopment of the City Airport site would create 16,000 jobs and contribute £400million more to the economy than City Airport. The Airport employs currently employs 2,000 people. (2)

Ends.

For more information contact Rob Barnstone 07806 947050; robert.barnstone@outlook.com

 

Despair at CAA gives Go-Ahead for Concentrated Routes

27/11/15 for immediate use

Despair in East London as CAA approves new concentrated flight paths
Campaigners may mount legal challenge

Many residents in East London are in despair following yesterday’s announcement by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that it will allow London City Airport to concentrate its flight paths (1). Campaign group HACAN East is considering legal action against the CAA.

Departure routes will be concentrated places like Bow, parts of Leyton, Leytonstone, Wanstead, Dagenham and parts of Havering. Areas of South London will also experience more concentrated routes.

The decision follows uproar at the lack of consultation on the proposals last year. City Airport just put a technical document on its website and inform the Consultative Committee. It was left to HACAN East to hold public meetings in the areas which would be affected. The airport argued that, because the change was largely replicating what was already happening, it was only required by the CAA to carry out a minimal consultation.
Local people, backed by many local authorities, MPs and members of the Greater London Authority, said that a full consultation should have been carried out as some areas would get 30% more planes than they do at present. The CAA was inundated with letters calling for a fresh consultation. Yesterday’s announcement means that the CAA has ruled out a new consultation.

HACAN East chair John Stewart said, “Many people will be in utter despair of the decision. It means that residents who were hardly overflown at all by planes from London City a few years back face (2) the prospect of living under a concentrated flight path for the rest of their lives. It is a terrible prospect.”

Stewart added, “The CAA is already under fire for its attitude towards residents around Heathrow and Gatwick. It is simply wrong that a body largely funded by the aviation industry should be taking these decisions. In our view it is not fit for purpose to have these responsibilities. We are discussing a possible legal challenge with our lawyers.”

 

Posted in Flight Path ChangesNewsPress releases

LONDON CITY AIRPORT APPEALS TO SECRETARY OF STATE AGAINST MAYOR’S REFUSAL TO GRANT PERMISSION TO EXPAND

Press Release

 19/5/15 for immediate use

 London City Airport appeals to Secretary of State against Mayor’s refusal to grant permission to expand

London City Airport has announced that is has appealed to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government against the refusal by London Mayor to grant it planning permission to expand.  The appeal is likely to be heard in about five months time.

Earlier this year Boris Johnson overturned Newham Council’s decision to grant the airport permission to create more taxiway space to allow bigger aircraft to use the airport.  City was also given permission to double the size of its terminal and create more car parking spaces.  But the Mayor turned it down because he believed that the airport was not prepared to give sufficient compensation to residents who would suffer noise.

The expansion plans had proved controversial, with a large number of objections coming from residents and a number of local authorities.

John Stewart, chair of HACAN East, which helped co-ordinate much of the opposition, said, “It is not surprising London City has appealed because they are very keen to get the space to allow bigger planes to use the airport.  But we hope the Secretary of State turns down the appeal and backs Boris who stood up for residents whose lives have become blighted by noise from the airport.”

 

ENDS

 For further information:

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650

OFFICIAL STATISTICS UNDERESTIMATE THE LEVELS OF AIRCRAFT NOISE IN EAST AND SOUTH EAST LONDON

6th April 2015 for immediate use

 Official statistics underestimate the levels of aircraft noise in east and south east London, according to the campaign group HACAN East.  Just a week after the London Mayor Boris Johnson refused London City permission to expand on the grounds of noise, HACAN East has complained that the noise from City Airport aircraft and those heading to Heathrow are measured separately and not added together.

John Stewart, who chairs HACAN East, said, “We need to get a figure for the total noise if we are to get a picture of the real noise levels experienced by residents.  In the areas of east and south east London where people get planes from both London City and Heathrow noise levels will be a lot higher than official statistics show.”

A report published in 2007 (1) found that “in some areas of East London flown over by both Heathrow planes and City Airport noise levels were comparable to those in parts of West London”.  Two years ago the Greater London Assembly called for joint readings to be taken.

Stewart concluded, “It is not rocket science to assess the cumulative noise.  The suspicion remains that it suits the aviation industry not to paint the full picture.”

ENDS

 Notes for Editors:

 (1).  http://hacan.org.uk/resources/reports/hacan.flight.paths.study.pdf

BORIS REFUSES CITY AIRPORT’S PLAN TO EXPAND

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has refused London City Airport’s plan to expand on noise grounds.  In a letter he has instructed Newham Council, who had approved the application, to refuse it.  Newham’s decision was always dependent on the Mayor’s approval.

London City Airport wanted permission to build new taxiways to permit larger planes to use the airport.  It also wanted more car parking spaces.  The decision will be a bitter blow to the airport as it will now no longer be able to bring in the larger planes it wanted to serve new destinations.

John Stewart, chair of HACAN East, which campaigned against the expansion plans, said “The airport is paying the price for being so cavalier about noise.  Quite simply, Boris did not believe its claims that it was dealing adequately with noise.  We salute his decision”

ENDS

For more information:

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650