CAA’s Gatwick flightpaths review ‘failed to end misery’

Anti-Gatwick expansion campaigners have said a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) review on controversial changes to the airport’s flightpaths failed to ‘end misery’ for residents.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Nov 2015, 10:54 BST
Brendon Sewill ENGSUS00120131001155923Brendon Sewill ENGSUS00120131001155923
Brendon Sewill ENGSUS00120131001155923

The CAA’s review on the departure routes which it approved in August 2013 concluded a path which takes off to the west and turns north had to be changed; a route towards the south-coast and another heading east were acceptable but should be reviewed by Gatwick; the remaining six routes did not need to change.

Brendon Sewill, chairman of Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, said: “It is a great disappointment that the CAA have rejected proposals for reducing the misery caused by new flight paths.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In a 198 page report they devote only 2 pages to the possibility of dispersal – spreading the aircraft over a wider area – and to the possibility of respite – giving people a break from constant noise. And then reject both. We will now need to take the case to the Government and indeed will raise this when we meet the Minister for Aviation, Robert Goodwill MP, next week, on November 18.”

A GACC statement said the changed routes had caused ‘great distress’ for resident living directly under them. The paths were concentrated on ‘very narrow’ tracks because aircraft switched to satellite navigation.

It added the CAA review would only change is to the route which takes off to the west, and then turns right over Holmwood, Brockham and Reigate.

Protest group Plane Wrong has opposed the route over noise pollution.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Sewill added: “It is also disappointing that the CAA do not even mention the possibility of compensation. If a new motorway is built near your home, you are legally entitled to compensation for the loss of its value. The same should apply when a new motorway is created in the sky.”

* Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:Robert GoodwillGovernment