From last Tuesday the airport has been permitted to land more planes during established respite periods when residents normally get relief from overhead flights.

The trial lasts until February 29, with a second following next summer from July 1 to September 30.

BAA says the aim is to explore ways of running the airport more effectively and to reduce flight delays.

To report aircraft noise during established quiet periods call the council's noise hotline on 020 8871 5377.

You can also tweet your report @wandbc, post it on the council's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wandsworthcouncil or email it to eryans@wandsworth.gov.uk

Please ensure your message includes the time of the nuisance flight and your location when the flight went overhead.

The respite period timetable is available on the Heathrow website.

Leader of Wandsworth Council Ravi Govindia said:

"Residents value the half-day's respite they currently receive. It's vital these trials are conducted with complete transparency so that residents can have confidence in the outcome."

The council has arranged a public meeting where residents can question BAA and Heathrow Airport representatives about the trail. It takes place at 7.30pm, Wednesday 23 November, at the Brewer Building, Putney High Street.

Under current rules Heathrow is only permitted to use one runway for take offs and one for landing. Their use is switched everyday at 3pm to give residents under the flightpath a regular break from aircraft noise.

During the trial BAA will be able to use both runways at the same time for arrivals during busy periods when flights are delayed. This will mean a limited number of flights being allowed to land or take off during the current half-day respite periods.

BAA will have discretion over when it can initiate these special measures.

The testing periods were approved by the South East Airports Taskforce Group which was set up by the Government to explore ways of making airports 'better, not bigger'.

There will be no increase in the overall number of movements at the airport.

The trials will be undertaken by BAA under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Copies of the Department for Transport's report on the operational freedoms trial are available at www.dft.gov.uk

Wandsworth is a founding member of the 2M Group of councils which overturned the previous Government's plans for a third runway at Heathrow in the High Court.

 

November 9, 2011