Runway alternation suspended for six weeks. Noise fears for borough residents.

The Royal Borough has learned that residents living under the Heathrow departures flight path are facing the prospect of all-day aircraft noise for six weeks starting next month.

The British Airports Authority (BAA) has written to the borough's Chief Executive Ian Trenholm advising that essential repairs to the northern runway taxiways for a six-week period starting on Monday 13 September means that the current system of runway alternation will have to be suspended during that time.

With runway alternation, borough residents living under the flight path enjoy some respite from departure noise after 3pm when planes take off on the northern runway to the east over London instead of to the west over the Royal Borough.

During the planned six-week suspension period the northern runway will be used for departures all day - meaning that residents in parts of Windsor and Datchet will not experience the respite provided by runway alternation.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, chairman of the borough's aviation forum, said this week: "Runway alternation provides a much-needed benefit for borough residents, giving them some respite in the afternoons from the concentrated noise level.

"It is evident by virtue of their letter to our chief executive that BAA acknowledges the benefits even for short periods that runway alternation brings to people in the Royal Borough living under the flight paths.

"While the situation is certainly regrettable for our residents, we understand that BAA has to carry out these essential repairs. But I would like to reassure our residents that we will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure that the works are completed on time and alternation reinstated."

BAA says the changes are to daytime operations only so there should be no additional flights before 6am.

The repair works will be carried out to the asphalt taxiways next to the northern runway which are laid on top of concrete blocks. Checks have shown that some of these blocks could become unstable and need to be replaced to avoid debris getting into aircraft engines.

The suspension will affect daytime operations only. Night-time alternation will be unchanged.

For more information call BAA on 0800 344 844, email noise_complaints@baa.com. or visit http://www.heathrowairport.com/

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