New flight paths around Birmingham Airport revealed

[dutchman]

Aircraft would fly closer to some villages under plans to change Birmingham Airport's flight paths.

A three-month consultation has started over new departure routes which would need Civil Aviation Authority approval.

Aircraft would go further away from Catherine-de-Barnes, Eastcote, Knowle and Meriden, but closer to some parts of Hampton-in-Arden, Barston and Balsall Common, the airport said.

Hampton-in-Arden Society member Graham Juniper called the plan "disgraceful".

He said: "The planes will have an impact on everybody and on the church which is at that end of the village and the school which is at that end.

"We're very annoyed about this proposal and they will be in lots of parts of Balsall Common.

"The planes may be quieter than 30 years ago and they get up higher quicker. But on the other hand you get the big planes taking off and landing."

Airport public affairs director John Morris said: "As a result of our flight paths being redesigned using the latest criteria, aircraft will be able to fly more precisely on the centre line of a flight path.

"By narrowing the corridor in which aircraft fly, and as more airlines introduce newer aircraft installed with the latest navigational aids, even fewer communities could be over-flown in the future."

The airport is to hold events for residents to find out more details, in Catherine-de-Barnes, Barston, Eastcote, Meriden, Berkswell, Hampton-in-Arden, Marston Green, Bickenhill, Balsall Common, Knowle and Sheldon.

[dutchman]

Residents hope for U-turn over Balsall Common flightpath plan



RESIDENTS are hoping for a possible U-turn over new flightpaths out of Birmingham Airport which could take planes over Balsall Common.

Villagers have been calling for a rethink, claiming plans for a runway extension would result in long-haul flights to China and America ruining their quiet life.

But now the airport near the NEC has extended the public consultation and announced a second alternative for departures, further away from Balsall Common.

The only problem is that the new option would take planes closer to neighbouring Hampton in Arden.

David Ellis, of the Balsall Common Airport Action Group, said: “We’re pleased because it shows the airport’s been listening and it is consulting.

“They’ve put forward the new option which follows much of the alternative route we had suggested.

“When we stand out in the garden we do hear some noise at the moment but if the airport’s growth predictions are correct then by 2022 it will be buzzing out there if they stick to the original route.”

Villagers formed an action group to fight the planned departures flight path from the runway extension.

It is all part of ambitious plans by the airport to expand in an effort to compete with London rivals Heathrow and Gatwick.

The original flight path option saw both arrivals and departures going over Balsall Common.

Under the new option, after 2.2 miles planes departing from the new runway will turn right – closer to Barston and then Hampton in Arden.

Balsall Common Airport Action Group is calling on residents to make their voices heard with the deadline for representations delayed until May 17.

David Ellis added: “Their original option had incoming and outgoing planes coming over Balsall Common.

“Our solution pushed the departure flights further away from the arrival flight path. After 2.2 miles we suggested a turn to the right as you leave the airport to take it out over open countryside.

“The only populated area it goes over is Barston because the airport insist they can’t do the right turn until 2.2 miles. We’ve lost the Hampton turn meaning it will be closer to Hampton in Arden but without this change we would be hit twice, incoming and outgoing.

“This route is consistent with the airport’s stated objective to as far as possible replicate existing routes.

“We’ve nothing against the airport but it has to accept it has to live as much as possible alongside us as its neighbours.”

[dutchman]

Birmingham Airport runway plans 'ignore views' of Balsall Common residents

Birmingham Airport bosses have been accused of “totally ignoring” the views of Balsall Common residents over proposed flightpath changes to pave the way for the £65 million runway extension.

The long-running Battle of Balsall Common looks set for further skirmishes after campaigners voiced their dismay at the airport’s preferred option for aircraft taking off to the south.

Airport bosses claim a new southerly flight path avoids the most populated areas, Barston, Hampton-in-Arden and Balsall Common and is positioned further away from Catherine-de-Barnes and Knowle.

But the route, which is positioned closer to Balsall Street East in Balsall Common, has led to further protests from the Balsall Common Airport Action Group.

Group member Dave Ellis said: “When we had the original consultation, the Residents Association, the parish council and the Action Group put forward an argument for a new route taking traffic away from Barston and onto open countryside.

“But they have totally ignored the views of villagers. I have a meeting next week with the Residents Association when we will be taking this up. There is a lot of disquiet and annoyance at the airport.”

Protesters say the new flightpaths will see planes flying at between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, increasing noise nuisance and pollution.

In March campaigners circulated leaflets which claimed householders would be subjected to “loud and frequent noise”, but the airport said the claims were “highly misleading”.

Mr Ellis added: “I think that that was totally disgraceful. We had taken the effort to make people aware of what was going on.”

The airport’s public affairs director, John Morris, said: “We have fully followed the Civil Aviation Authority’s guidance throughout this process and have considered all feedback from stakeholders.

“We believe the best option has been put forward that impacts the fewest number of people in areas closest to the airport.”