Aviation Forum
Tuesday 23 November 2010
i
Present: Councillors Bicknell (Chairman), Adams, Beer and Muir.
Also Present: Andrew Davies (Wraysbury Parish Council), Peter Hooper (Windsor resident), Jamie Jamieson (WWRA) and Michael Sullivan (WWRA).
Officers: Michael Kiely, Michelle Speed and Philip Turner.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lenton and Thompson, and John Holdstock (WWRA).
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
MINUTES
The minutes from the 10 August 2010 were approved subject to the following change:
Page ii – the first bullet point on the page to end with “…Cranford Agreement.” New bullet point to commence with “It was noted…” (As written, the original bullet point contained two separate statements).
MATTERS ARISING
Members were informed that a response had still not been received to a letter that had been sent to the Secretary of State on the subject of ‘alternation’. The Team Leader – Environmental Protection, agreed to chase this up.
In relation to 2M and ANASE, the Team Leader – Environmental Protection agreed to send further letters to encourage progress, and would copy in the Borough’s two MPs. It was further suggested that the approaches to the two MPs should be more direct, to ensure responses from each were forthcoming. These letters should clearly state the Borough’s wishes, and the length of time that the Borough has had to wait.
ITEMS
There was no progress to report.
ii. Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (SASIG) Update
Councillor Beer advised that the Deputy Chairman had resigned.AVIATION FORUM – 23.11.10iii. Local Authority Aircraft Noise Council (LAANC) Update
At its last meeting the LAANC had considered the ANASE study, the absence of the Heathrow Noise Action Plan, the recent planning application, and studies on the cessation of the Cranford Agreement.
iv. 2M Update
There had been very little activity since the last meeting of the Forum. 2M had been applying pressure on the Noise Action Plan (NAP). The NAP had been through DfT and DEFRA, but had been sent back for resubmission, with requests for detailed amendments. The revised NAP was unlikely to be the subject of a public consultation.
v. NATS – Airspace Changes Update
The Forum noted the content of the paper which advised that changes to airspace had been postponed.
Brief discussion took place on descent rates, stacking, and the trials in the United States of new equipment on aircraft to control arrivals and departures. Concern was expressed that the delays to airspace changes could have been an attempt to delay progress on the Cranford Agreement.
vi. Swiss Study – Link Between Aircraft Noise and Heart Attacks
The Forum noted the content of the report, which summarised a Swiss study which had established a link between aircraft noise and heart attacks. It was noted that other studies were less conclusive.
The Team Leader for the Environmental Protection Team agreed to take the issue up further with the Health Protection Agency and report back to a future meeting of the Forum.
vii. Flight Changes Post Cranford
Councillor Beer informed the Forum that the Minister of State for Transport, Theresa Villiers MP, had committed in September to alternation, no mixed mode and some changes related to the Cranford Agreement at a date “in the near future”.
The flight changes brought overall improvements to the Borough, but it was accepted that a couple of areas would be worse off as a result of the changes. It was expected that the noise disturbance from flights would be more evenly distributed across Windsor and the surrounding villages.
Councillor Beer stated that he had provided detailed information to the Borough on this, and was concerned that he had not yet received a response.
The views of the Borough were not aligned with those of 2M. Concern was expressed that a consultancy which had done work for the Borough, but was now employed by 2M, appeared to be reporting slightly different data to 2M. It was explained that had this been significant then it could have had an adverse impact on the availability of grants to Borough residents. This matter was to be kept under review.
Members suggested that in a number of areas BAA was responsible for delays in implementation of abolition. It was suggested that the Borough should issue a press release, to highlight the delays. (It should be noted that, on the day after the Forum, the Team Leader, Environmental Protection was invited to a meeting of councils with BAA to discuss details of implementation of abolition. This would obviate the need for the press release. An update would be sent to members of the Forum as soon as full details became available.)
viii. Miscellaneous Aviation Matters Including Alternation
It was considered that this item had been adequately covered elsewhere on the agenda.
ix. BAA Noise Insulation Scheme – Dual Glazing in Conservation Areas
Andrew Davies explained that a five-yearly review was under way. This was likely to be available for public consultation early in 2011. 63 dB LAeq was the current noise contour, but there was a desire in many groups to reduce this down to 57 dB LAeq. BAA had operated a number of different insulation schemes and were taking steps to consolidate these. Heathrow’s annual insulation budget was £5 million, but it had not spent anywhere near this amount.
x. Noise Action Plans
It was noted that BAA’s Noise Action Plan was expected to be published before Christmas 2010.
xi. Night Flying Update
The consultation on night flying was not expected to be published in the near future: it was due in summer 2011.
xii. Towards a Sustainable Heathrow – BAA Report
Members noted the content of the report. It was noted that landing fees were reduced for those using officially quieter aircraft. Mr Hooper advised of an upcoming one-day aviation conference and suggested that an officer of the Council should attend. The Team Leader for the Environmental Protection Team agreed to look into this.
xiii. Heathrow Train Link
Peter Hooper addressed the Forum. During his presentation the following points were made:
Mr Hooper encouraged the Borough to support the best rail schemes for its residents, rather than the preferences expressed by 2M.
At the conclusion of the discussion one member argued that the more links to Heathrow that there were, the greater the likelihood of a third runway.
xiv. Update on the ‘Future of UK Aviation’ Paper
Michael Sullivan presented his latest update paper. In particular he highlighted his concerns about the delays in the introduction of full runway alternation at Heathrow. He encouraged the Borough to express its dissatisfaction about the situation and requested that residents’ concerns be presented to the MPs.
Mr Sullivan explained that he would present a more detailed paper to the next meeting of the Forum.
xv. Press Relations
Members briefly discussed how stories about aviation were reported in the press. The Team Leader for the Environmental Protection Team agreed to obtain a revised schedule from BAA for the implementation of the post-Cranford arrangements and ensure that was reported in the papers.
ITEM SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE FORUM MEETINGS
It was hoped that Rob Gibson and Bureau Veritas could be invited to a future meeting of the Forum, and suggested that the 8th February meeting would be ideal.
DATES OF FUTURE FORUM MEETINGS
Discussion took place on the timing of the next two meetings. The Council’s programme of meetings originally placed a meeting in early May. Members agreed that the date set for 8th February 2011 should go ahead as planned and that the May meeting should be held in March or April. A large focus of the meeting would be the rail network.
MEETING
The meeting, which opened at 9.30am, ended at 11.35pm.
AVIATION FORUM
23 NOVEMBER 2010
23 NOVEMBER 2010
Present: Councillors Bicknell (Chairman), Adams, Beer and Muir.
Also Present: Andrew Davies (Wraysbury Parish Council), Peter Hooper (Windsor resident), Jamie Jamieson (WWRA) and Michael Sullivan (WWRA).
Officers: Michael Kiely, Michelle Speed and Philip Turner.
PART I
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lenton and Thompson, and John Holdstock (WWRA).
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
MINUTES
The minutes from the 10 August 2010 were approved subject to the following change:
Page ii – the first bullet point on the page to end with “…Cranford Agreement.” New bullet point to commence with “It was noted…” (As written, the original bullet point contained two separate statements).
MATTERS ARISING
Members were informed that a response had still not been received to a letter that had been sent to the Secretary of State on the subject of ‘alternation’. The Team Leader – Environmental Protection, agreed to chase this up.
In relation to 2M and ANASE, the Team Leader – Environmental Protection agreed to send further letters to encourage progress, and would copy in the Borough’s two MPs. It was further suggested that the approaches to the two MPs should be more direct, to ensure responses from each were forthcoming. These letters should clearly state the Borough’s wishes, and the length of time that the Borough has had to wait.
ITEMS
There was no progress to report.
ii. Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (SASIG) Update
Councillor Beer advised that the Deputy Chairman had resigned.AVIATION FORUM – 23.11.10iii. Local Authority Aircraft Noise Council (LAANC) Update
At its last meeting the LAANC had considered the ANASE study, the absence of the Heathrow Noise Action Plan, the recent planning application, and studies on the cessation of the Cranford Agreement.
iv. 2M Update
There had been very little activity since the last meeting of the Forum. 2M had been applying pressure on the Noise Action Plan (NAP). The NAP had been through DfT and DEFRA, but had been sent back for resubmission, with requests for detailed amendments. The revised NAP was unlikely to be the subject of a public consultation.
v. NATS – Airspace Changes Update
The Forum noted the content of the paper which advised that changes to airspace had been postponed.
Brief discussion took place on descent rates, stacking, and the trials in the United States of new equipment on aircraft to control arrivals and departures. Concern was expressed that the delays to airspace changes could have been an attempt to delay progress on the Cranford Agreement.
vi. Swiss Study – Link Between Aircraft Noise and Heart Attacks
The Forum noted the content of the report, which summarised a Swiss study which had established a link between aircraft noise and heart attacks. It was noted that other studies were less conclusive.
The Team Leader for the Environmental Protection Team agreed to take the issue up further with the Health Protection Agency and report back to a future meeting of the Forum.
vii. Flight Changes Post Cranford
Councillor Beer informed the Forum that the Minister of State for Transport, Theresa Villiers MP, had committed in September to alternation, no mixed mode and some changes related to the Cranford Agreement at a date “in the near future”.
The flight changes brought overall improvements to the Borough, but it was accepted that a couple of areas would be worse off as a result of the changes. It was expected that the noise disturbance from flights would be more evenly distributed across Windsor and the surrounding villages.
Councillor Beer stated that he had provided detailed information to the Borough on this, and was concerned that he had not yet received a response.
The views of the Borough were not aligned with those of 2M. Concern was expressed that a consultancy which had done work for the Borough, but was now employed by 2M, appeared to be reporting slightly different data to 2M. It was explained that had this been significant then it could have had an adverse impact on the availability of grants to Borough residents. This matter was to be kept under review.
Members suggested that in a number of areas BAA was responsible for delays in implementation of abolition. It was suggested that the Borough should issue a press release, to highlight the delays. (It should be noted that, on the day after the Forum, the Team Leader, Environmental Protection was invited to a meeting of councils with BAA to discuss details of implementation of abolition. This would obviate the need for the press release. An update would be sent to members of the Forum as soon as full details became available.)
viii. Miscellaneous Aviation Matters Including Alternation
It was considered that this item had been adequately covered elsewhere on the agenda.
ix. BAA Noise Insulation Scheme – Dual Glazing in Conservation Areas
Andrew Davies explained that a five-yearly review was under way. This was likely to be available for public consultation early in 2011. 63 dB LAeq was the current noise contour, but there was a desire in many groups to reduce this down to 57 dB LAeq. BAA had operated a number of different insulation schemes and were taking steps to consolidate these. Heathrow’s annual insulation budget was £5 million, but it had not spent anywhere near this amount.
x. Noise Action Plans
It was noted that BAA’s Noise Action Plan was expected to be published before Christmas 2010.
xi. Night Flying Update
The consultation on night flying was not expected to be published in the near future: it was due in summer 2011.
xii. Towards a Sustainable Heathrow – BAA Report
Members noted the content of the report. It was noted that landing fees were reduced for those using officially quieter aircraft. Mr Hooper advised of an upcoming one-day aviation conference and suggested that an officer of the Council should attend. The Team Leader for the Environmental Protection Team agreed to look into this.
xiii. Heathrow Train Link
Peter Hooper addressed the Forum. During his presentation the following points were made:
- Ø The announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review meant that some projects had been thrown into doubt.
Ø Crossrail had been confirmed as going ahead and this would link to Heathrow.
Ø Improvements to Reading station would be made.
Ø The Piccadilly line would be enhanced.
Ø Most projects would be constructed and operational by 2018.
Ø The electrification of the mainline between Maidenhead and Reading was likely to be put on hold.
Ø Airtrack, and the replacement of old diesel 125 engines, had not been commented on.
Ø High Speed 1 might be extended to Heathrow. High Speed 2 was likely to be linked to Heathrow. Further announcements on High Speed 2 were expected before Christmas 2010.
Ø The Government would launch a consultation on High Speed Rail in February 2011 and this was likely to be open for around five months.
Mr Hooper encouraged the Borough to support the best rail schemes for its residents, rather than the preferences expressed by 2M.
At the conclusion of the discussion one member argued that the more links to Heathrow that there were, the greater the likelihood of a third runway.
xiv. Update on the ‘Future of UK Aviation’ Paper
Michael Sullivan presented his latest update paper. In particular he highlighted his concerns about the delays in the introduction of full runway alternation at Heathrow. He encouraged the Borough to express its dissatisfaction about the situation and requested that residents’ concerns be presented to the MPs.
Mr Sullivan explained that he would present a more detailed paper to the next meeting of the Forum.
xv. Press Relations
Members briefly discussed how stories about aviation were reported in the press. The Team Leader for the Environmental Protection Team agreed to obtain a revised schedule from BAA for the implementation of the post-Cranford arrangements and ensure that was reported in the papers.
ITEM SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE FORUM MEETINGS
It was hoped that Rob Gibson and Bureau Veritas could be invited to a future meeting of the Forum, and suggested that the 8th February meeting would be ideal.
DATES OF FUTURE FORUM MEETINGS
Discussion took place on the timing of the next two meetings. The Council’s programme of meetings originally placed a meeting in early May. Members agreed that the date set for 8th February 2011 should go ahead as planned and that the May meeting should be held in March or April. A large focus of the meeting would be the rail network.
MEETING
The meeting, which opened at 9.30am, ended at 11.35pm.