Aircraft noise

This aircraft noise section is included to give information on:

• The way that aircraft noise affects residents in the different parts of the Borough, both day and night
• The history and future proposals for expansion of the airport
• How the Borough has joined forces with other boroughs in legal action, to reduce the existing impacts and prevent any worsening of the noise climate.

Broadly speaking, residents in the north of the Borough (Barnes, Sheen, Mortlake, Kew, Richmond) hear the noise of aircraft as they land westerly. Whereas residents in Twickenham, Teddington Whitton and the Hamptons hear the noise of aircraft taking-off easterly.

We know the concerns of many residents across the Borough, as they have contacted either Council Members or Officers or contacted the dedicated 24 hour Aircraft Noiseline (020 8891 7979).

A statistical breakdown of these complaints is sent to the Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee every quarter.

Many residents of the Borough are concerned at the relentless expansion of Heathrow, with the attendant air pollution and noise pollution. The main expansion proposals at the moment are for an extra runway, an extra terminal, extra flights and changes to some of the flight paths. There is also pressure for more night flights and for a reduction in the existing periods of respite. All of this causes concern for many residents and the Council is committed to doing all it can to prevent an erosion of the quality of life in the Borough.