Increased Air Traffic Noise across Wandsworth Common area Post Reply

[NYE31]

I think it is worse, we are in the The Tonsleys, it was quieter during the snow when so many planes were grounded but appears to be getting noisier & noisier

[mlm]

I just read this in the Guardian in case anyone is looking for easy ways to give feedback.

http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/artic ... ll_patrick

[calaya12]

Thanks mlm. I have just sent him an email to complain about the flight trial.
I really hope we can get our old clapham back!

[Calaya]

Not sure if everyone has read the article that mlm has sent but if you're also bothered by the planes (there was one last night at 2:30am!!), it is probably worth sending your concerns to this MP

[kclapham]

Did anybody else noticed that the air traffic finally decreased?

Now that the trial seems to be over, I personally find it much better without roaring planes passing every minute above your head!

I think it is worth writing to the MP if we want to keep it this way...

[Calaya]

Yes it's much better but is it because of the end of the trial or is it just the usual 2 weeks rotation?

[kclapham]

I'm not sure about the rotation.. But the trial was supposed to end in March, that's why I presumed it was the reason..

[New French Mum]

Yes it is definitely better - such a change and so nice to finally have quiet days! But does anybody know the reason?!
PS: I have just emailed the MP.

[Calaya]

Is it me or has the noise increased today?

[TXmum]

Yes, it seems to be constant today.

[jingo_x]

The 'mixed mode operations' trial that started last July finished on 28th February and a new 'night flight trial' has been in operation over the last few weeks. This trial is aimed at giving residents on the flightpath some respite from the 4.30-6.00am flights by alternating the routes that incoming planes take over South London. I have really noticed the benefit in the 'quiet' weeks where I live, and when the planes come back the following week I notice them even more! This new trial runs until the end of March.

The government are currently deciding whether to allow an increase in night flights from October 2014 (which is when the current agreement expires) and they are consulting now. If you want to air your opinion on night flights in particular you need to respond by 22nd April. You can e-mail night.noise@dft.gsi.gov.uk to have your say or e-mail the Transport Minister patrick.mcloughlin@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Other things you can do are
1) join Hacan who are very actively campaigning for a reduction in night flights between 11pm and 6am www.hacan.org.uk
2) Join the rally organised at Barn Elms Playing Field on 27th April 9.30-10.30am, where speakers will include Boris Johnson, Justine Greening and Zac Goldsmith
3) e-mail your local MP

but most importantly do have your say!

[Calaya]

Is it really worth complaining?
We had several weeks with hardly any planes but they are now back.I thought the trial ended in March. This is so annoying!

[evainlondon]

Unfortunately the planes didn't stop: the wind just changed direction...
70% of the time or so, the wind blows from the West and planes have to land from the East i.e. over our area. In the past few weeks there has been a lot more wind from the East than usually, thus reversing the pattern.
That explains why it feels like the planes are now "back".

[Calaya]

I have only been living in the area for a year but i thought the noise was due to the trial. Are you saying that there has been no increased noise due to the trial and that everytime it's quieter, it's only because of the direction of the
wind?
Thanks a lot for shading some light to a newbie

[evainlondon]

I'm no expert on this, but while the trial has made things worse, I don't think it was great before either. It gets complicated because there were various phases in the trial with various set-ups. Wind direction is only a mitigating factor i.e. if it blows from the West, then there are no landings
over BTC.
Not sure if this makes it clearer!?