Campaigners urge review over flight path noise row
Campaigners took to the streets of Balsall Common last weekend in a bid to force a Government rethink following the recent opening of Birmingham Airport’s runway extension – it has triggered waves of complaints of alleged noise nuisance from planes taking off at the airport.
Angry residents are raising a protest petition to be sent to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.
The householders said their lives were being made a misery by trials launched in May in advance of new flight paths.
David Ellis, of the Balsall Common Action Group, said: “There is a lot more noise nuisance and more planes since the trials started in May. We are told they are over 3,000 feet but that is not the point – the noise is the problem.
“The runway extension opened at the beginning of May and that is when it started.
“We want the Secretary of State to call it in and have another look at it.
“We will also have HS2 on the other side and, between high-speed rail and the flights, the village is scuppered. The petition will go to MP Caroline Spelman and then to the Secretary of State.”
The document calls on Parliament to “urgently review” the flight path plans.
It claimed the trial had failed to ensure aircraft followed the new flight path options accurately
An airport spokesman said: “A trial to test the impact of two potential flight paths has been in operation since 1st May.
“It follows a full consultation period last year with the community on the two options.
“The trial is in order for the airport to understand the impact of the options, rather than theoretical modelling, before submitting its final findings to the Civil Aviation Authority.
“The new flight path, to the south of the airport, is required as a result of the runway extension, which is now open.
“It will deliver global connectivity and thousands of new jobs in the future for local people.
“The airport is aware of a petition circulating in the community and is recording and responding to all correspondence received by residents.”
A public meeting on the flight path problems will be held at Balsall Common’s Heart of England School at 7.00pm on Wednesday 16th July.