Residents urged to voice views as airport unveils action plan

•New noise insulation scheme, in line with London airports
•Increased funding for good causes
•Greater community involvement
Glasgow Airport is proposing a new noise insulation scheme, and increased support for community regeneration, as part of its commitment to operate the airport in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Details of the proposed noise insulation scheme are outlined in a public consultation which is being launched today across communities close to the airport flightpath.

There are two elements to the proposed package.

First, a new Noise Insulation Scheme for residential properties within the 66 decibel contour area, set by the UK air regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority. This proposal brings Glasgow Airport into line with similar schemes already in place at Gatwick and Stansted airports, and soon to be introduced at Edinburgh Airport.

Local MPs and MSPs have long called for Glasgow Airport to offer the same protection as residents living close to BAA’s London airports, which this scheme does.

However, because few properties fall within this area at Glasgow Airport, the Glasgow plan goes further than other airports, with a second proposal to establish a new ‘Flightpath Fund’ to oversee the distribution of Glasgow Airport’s community funding, set to rise to around £150,000 in 2010.

Membership of the independent funding body will be drawn from community representatives from Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire and Glasgow, giving local people a greater say in how Glasgow Airport’s community fund is spent.

Glasgow Airport has made real progress in tackling aircraft noise with a comprehensive package of measures already in place, including a Noise and Track Keeping system to monitor aircraft noise, fines for airlines that breach agreed noise thresholds, voluntary day and night time noise limits, and a freephone noise action line for concerned residents.

As a result, studies produced by the Civil Aviation Authority show that the noise footprint around the airport has shrunk, and is now half the size it was in 1990. In practice, this means that fewer households are troubled by aircraft noise, even though the airport has grown significantly over the years.

However, after listening to local stakeholders and reviewing other airport schemes, Glasgow bosses believe it is right to take further action – even in the grip of the worst aviation downturn for more than a decade.

Airport MD Amanda McMillan said: “The airport is a massive economic contributor for the west of Scotland and generates thousands of jobs locally. It is vital that we continue to develop the airport and attract new business and employment opportunities. However, we must also balance the need for growth against the interests of those who live closest to the airport and who are affected by its future development.

“Most people understand that a busy airport generates noise. We cannot make that noise go away, nor can we realistically provide noise insulation for every household under the airport flightpath. Independent studies show that the noise footprint around Glasgow Airport has shrunk, as a result of the action we – and our airline partners – have taken over recent years. Nevertheless, we are committed to taking further action.

“In doing so, we must also recognise the many demands on us, from business leaders, the tourism industry and air travellers, to enhance the route network to and from Glasgow Airport. We are – first and foremost – a business and, with more than 100 companies and around 5000 local jobs dependent on the airport, we have a responsibility to ensure the long term future of our airport.

“I believe that this plan strikes the right balance – growing the airport in a sustainable, responsible manner, and supporting the social and economic regeneration of our local communities.”

The launch of the consultation follows months of discussion with local MPs, MSPs and community groups over further measures to alleviate noise concerns. Airport bosses have ruled out a suggested £1 levy on all arriving and departing flights, and have also dismissed calls to close the airport overnight, on the grounds that both actions would compromise Glasgow Airport’s competitive position, and force airlines elsewhere.

Mrs McMillan said Glasgow Airport had responded to calls by MPs and MSPs to mirror schemes in place at BAA’s London airports, but stressed that the Glasgow plan went further.

She added: “We have listened carefully to local community groups, MPs and MSPs – many of whom have told us they believe Glasgow should adopt the same scheme as BAA’s London airports. We have now done so.

“However, as we have made clear in the past, the London model does not work at Glasgow, as too few households will benefit. Therefore, the Glasgow proposal goes further, with a plan that will provide increased community funding and give local residents a greater say in how this funding is spent through a new, independent flightpath fund. We think that involving local communities in this way is the right way forward.”

There are several ways to take part in the consultation:

•Download the consultation at www.glasgowairport.com/flightpath
•Email flightpath@baa.com with your name and address, or call the freephone noise action line on 0800 013 2429 to request a copy
•Pick up a copy from your local library or community centre
The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2010.

• Mauritius Self Catering in the Tropics
• Why We All Need Golf Lessons
• Journey In Fashion Throughout Nation
• Winter Park Colorado ski vacations
• Popular Attractions in Athens