Respite from daytime landings over Putney & Wandsworth

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as daytime arrivals are switched to the northern runway

BAA say the changes are caused by development at the eastern end of the northern runway. This means that runway will not be used for departures during the period of the works.

Because all aircraft landing from the east during the day will now use the northern runway it will mean fewer flights over Battersea, Wandsworth and Putney. This is the normal route for aircraft approaching the southern runway.

Currently planes switch runways each day at 3pm - providing partial relief for residents under the two central London flightpaths. Runway alternation will be suspended while the works are carried out.

Council leader Edward Lister warned residents that the quiet period would not last:

"On this occasion people in the Wandsworth area will benefit from the loss of runway alternation as all the daytime arrivals will be coming into the northern runway. My advice to residents is to make the most of this unexpected lull in activity - later this year we expect the Government to announce plans for a permanent end to runway alternation.

"This will bring wall-to-wall noise for communities living under the northern and southern flightpaths as aircraft will be able to use both runways for landings throughout the day with no turn-round at 3pm.

"Over the next ten weeks people north of the river in places like Fulham will be getting a taste of what life without runway alternation will mean.
But if ministers get their way it will be a taste of things to come for all of us in London affected by Heathrow operations."

The switching of arrivals to the northern runway will start on the night of September 10 and last for around ten weeks.The changes do not affect night flights nor daytime arrivals from the west.

                                                    

September 1, 2006