§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to issue detailed proposals on the next night restrictions regime for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted; and what plans they have for consulting on the introduction of runway alternation at night at Heathrow and the continuance of westerly preference at night. [HL3914]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)This is the second consultation in the two-stage process announced earlier this year.
Part 1 of this consultation invites comments on detailed proposals for future night restrictions at the three airports. Part 2 deals with Heathrow only, and invites views on options for the possible introduction of night-time runway alternation and on changing westerly preference at night. It also includes a summary of the assessment of the continuing trial procedure for landings over London in the early morning. The Government wish to consider all responses to Part 2 before reaching a view.
In developing these proposals, we have taken into account the responses received to the preliminary consultation paper. We have sought to strike the right balance between the need to protect local communities from excessive aircraft noise at night and the need to allow air services to operate at night where they benefit the local, regional and national economy.
A ban on night flights is not considered practicable but further steps are proposed to restrict operations by the noisiest types of aircraft at night and to encourage the use of quieter types.
Our aim is to put in place arrangements which, over time, will bring about improvements in the noise climate during the night quota period (11.30 pm-6.00 am) around Gatwick, and further improvements around Heathrow. We also wish to provide for the planned development of Stansted, broadly as envisaged in 1993, while maintaining and strengthening the incentive for airlines to use quieter aircraft.
146WAThe main proposals are:
- to reduce the seasonal noise quotas for Heathrow to nearer the level of current usage, in order to safeguard the improvements in the night quota period achieved since 1993;
- to reduce the seasonal noise quotas for Gatwick from winter 2001–2002 onwards, and to balance the movement limits pro rata per season, from winter 1999–2000 onwards;
- to increase the Stansted noise quotas gradually from winter 1999–2000 onwards, while maintaining the incentive for airlines to use quieter aircraft;
- to ban aircraft classified QC/4 in the noise quota count (QC) system from being scheduled to land or take off during the quota restricted period from the start of the 2002 summer season at all three airports, subject to the technical reviews of the quota count system; and
- to reduce to 5 per cent. the amount of end of season flexibility permitted, except when there are calendar reasons for retaining 10 per cent.
Copies of the consultation paper will be placed in the House Library. The closing date for responses to the consultation is 12 February 1999.