Heathrow’s most recent proposals will cause major disturbance to all Chiswick residents with more flights, more noise and more pollution, even if the Third Runway does not go ahead.
- Heathrow are proposing options that would result in 29 flights directly over Bedford Park and Chiswick between 06.00 and 07.00am – one plane every 2.4 minutes – at very high decibel levels, likely to wake people up. Up to 40 overhead flights per day are proposed at this stage, before implementation of the new runway.
- If the Third Runway is built, we would be even more significantly affected with incoming low-flying aircraft (at 2,000 – 3,000ft), 47 flights per hour (one every 1.5 minutes) and with all of the flights above the key 65-decibel level. There will be 17 departing flights per hour (one every 3.5 minutes), all above 65 decibels.
Our work to challenge the development
We continue to monitor developments, supporting the work of CHATR (Chiswick Against the Third Runway) and taking action when necessary. Following the disappointing government vote in favour of the Third Runway, we remain committed to supporting any further efforts to challenge this development, which represents such a significant threat to Bedford Park and Chiswick.
Many questions are still unanswered, such as safety; reconciliation with air pollution limits; binding Climate Change targets; the economics of the project, including creating access to the airport, and the adequacy of the government’s proposed compensation scheme.
During 2018 and earlier this year, we encouraged members to respond to Heathrow Airport’s Airspace consultations, which will influence its proposals to the CAA for the development of the airspace of Chiswick and Bedford Park. We contacted members, summarising the key points and providing responses that the Society and CHATR suggested should be made to make the strongest case, and also submitted formal responses from the Society.
In April we attended a meeting with the Aviation Minister where CHATR emphasised the noise disruption which would be caused by the flight path passing over Chiswick and Bedford Park.
Next steps
The next stage in the process is a planning enquiry and legal challenges from a number of bodies and local authorities. A further judicial review of the cases against Heathrow’s expansion is being heard at the High Court later this year.
Guidance provided for responding to consultations
We urged everyone to submit a response to the most recent consultation before the closing date of 13 September.
There were two suggested responses depending on whether you live in Bedford Park or the wider Chiswick area:
- Click here for the responses if you live in Chiswick.
- Click here to find our suggested responses for Bedford Park residents.
The Word document automatically appeared in “Downloads” so that you could cut and paste straight from the document or select and adapt text, if you preferred.
Heathrow stated that respondents may select topics/questions that are of relevance and that it wasn’t necessary to answer all questions. We, therefore, focussed on the questions that are the most critical to Bedford Park residents.
We are grateful for input from the No 3rd Runway Coalition in compiling the responses.
The March 2019 consultation
The majority of this consultation was about airspace change, noise, respite, directional preference and night flights, which will follow the construction of the third runway, and full details are available online.
The Society’s response is available here.
Previous consultation in 2018
The Society submitted a formal response and encouraged everyone to submit an individual objection.
The Society’s response is available here.
The original full proposal produced by the Government can be seen online.
More detailed facts and figures are also available on the No 3rd Runway Coalition’s website.
As well as producing suggested responses and information on how to submit responses for members, we work with CHATR to help publicise the importance of responding to all Chiswick residents. Our efforts have been appreciated by members and residents alike.