The Government and the aviation industry need to wake up to the problem of aircraft noise. As residents of Islington we have been annoyed, irritated, and woken up at unreasonable hours by noisy aeroplanes flying over our homes. The people living immediately next to airports have made their voice heard, but we need to let the Government know that those of us living under the flight path are also affected!
If you feel the same, please add your name to the petition at the bottom of this page.
Councillor Greg Foxsmith, councillor for Hillrise ward, said:
"The only thing more annoying than the noise from passing planes is the drone from Government Ministers defending the aerospace industry. Please sign our petition so we can make the voices of Islington residents heard."
Councilor Julia Williams called on the Government to stop noisy flights over Islington early in the morning:
"I am a light sleeper and have been personally annoyed by noisy planes, particularly in the early mornings. For me, the real problem is flights between 5 and 7 am. The Government should realise the effect that loud noise has on people at this time and reduce- or ban outright- the flights over our communities before 7am."
Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP added her voice to the campaign, saying:
“The relentless growth of flights is having a horrendous impact on the lives of those under the flight paths. Noise pollution resulting from aviation is not only a major source of irritation, but is also linked to stress, hypertension, sleep disturbance and impaired learning and academic performance. The Government needs to wake up to this problem and not let local residents suffer."
Councillor Lucy Watt, Islington Council's executive member for Transport and the Environment, slammed the Government for not taking the environmental problems of aviation seriously enough:
"Tackling climate change by reducing our carbon emissions needs to be our priority. Aviation is the fastest-growing contributor to global emissions, so for the industry and the Government to increase the number of flights from London's airports is very environmentally irresponsible. With the introduction of a third runway, Heathrow’s annual CO2 emissions from flying will increase by 9.8 million tonnes. That's as much every year as some countries!"
Lucy Watt, Islington's Executive Member for Transport and the Environment
We call on the Government to:
- Reduce flights over Islington at night, between 11pm and 7am.
- Vary flight paths to give residents some relief from noise.
- Provide clear information on flight paths over London.
- Abandon plans for a new runways at Heathrow and Stansted Airports.
- Replace Airport Passenger Duty with an Aircraft Tax to encourage airlines to fly fewer, but fuller, journeys.
