DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (290/08) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 4 September 2008
Views on how noise
from airports can be managed effectively were today called for by
Environment Minister Jonathan Shaw.
He made the call as Defra publishes draft guidance for comment
that will be used to develop action plans to address noise from airports.
In line with the Environmental Noise Directive, airport operators
must draft action plans that outline the measures they will take
to manage and, where appropriate, reduce the level of
environmental noise around airports.
Environment Minister, Jonathan Shaw said:
"Balancing the increased demand for air travel with the
desire for a peaceful environment is a difficult challenge. Much
has already been done to reduce the noise from transport and
industry, but there is more that we can do to limit, and in some
cases reduce, the number of people affected by aircraft noise.
"It's important that we get this right and develop the
best available advice for airport operators if they are to deliver
the most effective action plans. That is why we are seeking views
on this draft guidance.
I would urge anyone with an interest
to respond."
The plans will be informed by new noise maps that were published
last year. These give details of daytime and night time noise
levels for each airport, as well as noise levels around each site
on an average day in 2006.
The proposed guidance supports the Government's aim as set
out in the Department for Transport's Future of Air Transport
White Paper (2003) to limit and possibly reduce the number of
people affected by aircraft noise.
The proposed guidance includes the following actions for airport
operators to take account of when drafting their plans:
* consider what further measures should be taken in residential
areas that are exposed to more than 69 dB LAeq, 16 h;
* examine the day, evening and night results produced from the
noise mapping and consider whether there are any features of the
noise impact that might be measured further;
* ensure there is an effective complaint handling system in place;
* consider the information from any noise complaint data that is
held and whether there are any measures that might be taken to
manage further the aircraft noise impact;
* consider whether other new noise abatement objectives might be
developed with the aim of providing further management of the
noise impact;
* pro-actively engage with the land-use planning process, as
mentioned in The Aerodrome (Noise Restrictions) (Rules and
Procedures) Regulations 2003
Notes to editors
1. The draft guidance and instructions on how to respond can be
accessed here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/aviation-actionplans/index.htm
The consultation closes on Friday 28 November 2008.
2. The airport noise maps can be accessed at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/mapping/transportation/aviation/index.htm
3. As Shoreham Airport does not operate during the night period,
a night noise map was not produced.
4. Under the EU's Environmental Noise Directive action plans
for all major airports, roads, railways, and urban areas must be
submitted to the European Commission by 18 January 2009.
5. The Regulations require the Secretary of State to publish
guidance setting out limit values or other criteria for the
identification of priorities for action plans. These guidelines
fulfil the requirement for aviation action plans.
6. Airports are the competent authority for producing action
plans, and once they are completed, the Secretary of State will
consider for sign off.
7. The guidance supports the Government's aim as set out in
the Future of Air Transport White Paper (2003) to limit and
possibly reduce the number of people affected by aircraft noise.
It has been long standing policy for Noise Preferential Routes
(NPRs) to be established. These routes seek to minimise those
affected by aircraft noise by concentrating aircraft departures
along a path avoiding densely populated areas. However, this has
resulted in a possible impact on current quiet areas as identified
in agglomeration action plans.
8. An agglomeration is defined by the regulations as a continuous
urban area of more than 20 hectares with a population of more than
250,000 and a population density of more than 500 person per
square kilometer.
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