Date line: 30 November 2019
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Gatwick and the NMB are holding a Public Meeting
at 2:00pm on Tuesday 3 December.
at 2:00pm on Tuesday 3 December.
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It is outrageous that Gatwick are trying to exclude the Master Plan from discussion - they say ‘airport growth plans will not form part of the discussion’ - as if they could be separated from the ‘airspace and noise issues’ that are the focus of the meeting. This is ridiculous. To download the invitation and see more comments click HERE or on the NMB tab, above. Please book, attend and challenge! |
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AVIATION AND THE GENERAL ELECTION
A General Election has been called for Thursday 12 December 2019. The major political parties have now published their manifestos and, while TWAANG is politically strictly neutral, we thought it would be of interest to be aware of what they are saying about aviation.
To see what they have to say, click HERE or on the FACTS tab, above.
To see what they have to say, click HERE or on the FACTS tab, above.
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CHANGING MOOD ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
A change has been taking place recently in the public attitude to the Environment and Climate Change.
Sir David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion in particular have been very effective campaigners, they have both led and responded to a change in mood.
Declaration of a Climate Emergency by a number of governments and other jurisdictions worldwide, including the UK Government in May 2019 and Pope Francis in June 2019, gave emphasis to this change.
To see our further thoughts, click HERE or on the COMMENT tab, above.
Sir David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion in particular have been very effective campaigners, they have both led and responded to a change in mood.
Declaration of a Climate Emergency by a number of governments and other jurisdictions worldwide, including the UK Government in May 2019 and Pope Francis in June 2019, gave emphasis to this change.
To see our further thoughts, click HERE or on the COMMENT tab, above.
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GATWICK'S BIG ENOUGH
Latest developments
Work has been continuing on the campaign to challenge Gatwick’s ambitious plans for major expansion. To see some of the latest developments click HERE or on the NEWS tab, above.
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These are our earlier comments, which still apply...
If Gatwick get approval for their Master Plan for expansion they will drastically increase the frequency and noise of aircraft flying low over Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area.
GACC (Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign) have announced a major campaign to challenge Gatwick’s Master Plan. TWAANG are joining and supporting this initiative.
For more details click HERE or on the NEWS tab, above.
GACC (Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign) have announced a major campaign to challenge Gatwick’s Master Plan. TWAANG are joining and supporting this initiative.
For more details click HERE or on the NEWS tab, above.
The full Master Plan document is available under the NEWS tab.
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Our slogan for the Master Plan is: DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN! We need everyone to get involved and support those who are fighting on our behalf.
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MONITORING GATWICK’S PROMISES, 2019 REPORT
We published the 2019 annual report ‘Monitoring Gatwick’s Promises’ by Ed Crutchley earlier.
There has since been an exchange of comments between Graham Lake, Secretary of the NMB, and Ed Crutchley, exchanging views about issues raised in the Report.
We now publish Graham's most recent comments.
To see the Report and comments click HERE or on the COMMENT tab, above
There has since been an exchange of comments between Graham Lake, Secretary of the NMB, and Ed Crutchley, exchanging views about issues raised in the Report.
We now publish Graham's most recent comments.
To see the Report and comments click HERE or on the COMMENT tab, above
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WEBTRAK FLIGHT TRACKER UPDATE
Gatwick have now released their update of the WebTrak system, replacing the former Casper NoiseLab web pages which were withdrawn on 1 April 2019. This update is welcome, although we will need to get used to it.
To visit the new pages click HERE. The address is: aircraftnoise.gatwick.com.
For more comments click HERE or on the COMPLAIN tab above.
To visit the new pages click HERE. The address is: aircraftnoise.gatwick.com.
For more comments click HERE or on the COMPLAIN tab above.
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URGENT
Become a Supporter and help make our voice even louder and more effective.
Click HERE to find out how to do this.
And please don't forget to encourage your friends, too.
Click HERE to find out how to do this.
And please don't forget to encourage your friends, too.
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Here are earlier items we published, they will be updated shortly
WHAT FUTURE FOR GATWICK’S NOISE MANAGEMENT BOARD?
The final NMB meeting of the initial 3-year term of the Board was held on Wednesday 8th May. The proposed new structure for the NMB failed to meet the required 75% approval when it came to the vote and the Chairman consequently wound up the current NMB so the Board is at best suspended for the time being. Gatwick have expressed the intention of continuing with it, but the form it will take is as yet unclear. More detail is available, click HERE or on the NMB tab, above
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CONTINUING CONCERNS OVER CONCENTRATED ARRIVALS
We continue to be concerned by concentrated arrivals, especially during the late evening into night time and over areas of concentrated population and when both children and adults are trying to get to sleep. This does little for our confidence in the effectiveness of the NMB, NATS or airlines.
We show an example drawn to our attention by a distressed mother, click HERE or on the FACTS tab, above.
We show an example drawn to our attention by a distressed mother, click HERE or on the FACTS tab, above.
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NEW AVIATION MINISTER
Baroness Vere of Norbiton replaced Baroness Sugg as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport in April. Baroness Sugg had served since October 2017. Community Group representatives had developed a working contact with Baroness Sugg, it remains to be seen if this can be refreshed with the new Minister.
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Some Questions and Answers
1. Who is TWAANG?
A growing Group of residents of the town of Tunbridge Wells who are working in partnership with other action groups to limit the noise and volume of aircraft flying over our airspace.
Contacts :
Dr Irene Fairbairn, Chair, at email: twaang00@gmail.com
2. What’s the problem?
Westerly arrivals flight paths to Gatwick were changed at the end of 2013 and now low flying airplanes (often at 4-4,500ft) fly over Tunbridge Wells day and night. This change was originally denied and no consultation with Tunbridge Wells residents took place. Government aviation policy is to avoid flight paths over densely populated areas where possible. Why is this policy not being implemented?
3. When
TWAANG was formed in the Autumn of 2015 to ensure that the town’s particular concerns could be added to the Independent Arrivals Review then being undertaken for Gatwick by Bo Redeborn and Graham Lake. The deadline for responses and submissions was 30 November 2015. Up until mid October 2015 there had been no residents' voice for the town of Tunbridge Wells to add to those of the surrounding villages, all of whom have been affected by the changed flight paths.
4. Why?
Tunbridge Wells is a town of 58,000 and will be expanding rapidly in the coming decade. It is at the heart of a conurbation with a current population of over 74,000. Since the change in flight paths Gatwick had received a 550% increase in complaints mostly from Tunbridge Wells.
The health and wellbeing of residents is at risk through jet fuel emissions and the effects of sleep deprivation and intrusive aircraft noise when awake.
An important characteristic of the town is the 300 acres of parks and commons, ‘countryside within a town’. Aircraft noise destroys the tranquility and purpose of these amenities. It may well begin to erode Tourism which contributes 30% to the town’s economy.
5. How
A growing Group of residents of the town of Tunbridge Wells who are working in partnership with other action groups to limit the noise and volume of aircraft flying over our airspace.
Contacts :
Dr Irene Fairbairn, Chair, at email: twaang00@gmail.com
2. What’s the problem?
Westerly arrivals flight paths to Gatwick were changed at the end of 2013 and now low flying airplanes (often at 4-4,500ft) fly over Tunbridge Wells day and night. This change was originally denied and no consultation with Tunbridge Wells residents took place. Government aviation policy is to avoid flight paths over densely populated areas where possible. Why is this policy not being implemented?
3. When
TWAANG was formed in the Autumn of 2015 to ensure that the town’s particular concerns could be added to the Independent Arrivals Review then being undertaken for Gatwick by Bo Redeborn and Graham Lake. The deadline for responses and submissions was 30 November 2015. Up until mid October 2015 there had been no residents' voice for the town of Tunbridge Wells to add to those of the surrounding villages, all of whom have been affected by the changed flight paths.
4. Why?
Tunbridge Wells is a town of 58,000 and will be expanding rapidly in the coming decade. It is at the heart of a conurbation with a current population of over 74,000. Since the change in flight paths Gatwick had received a 550% increase in complaints mostly from Tunbridge Wells.
The health and wellbeing of residents is at risk through jet fuel emissions and the effects of sleep deprivation and intrusive aircraft noise when awake.
An important characteristic of the town is the 300 acres of parks and commons, ‘countryside within a town’. Aircraft noise destroys the tranquility and purpose of these amenities. It may well begin to erode Tourism which contributes 30% to the town’s economy.
5. How
- Gaining support from local residents.
- Engagement via Gatwick's Noise Management Board with the implementation process of the Arrivals Review Report's recommendations for westerly arrivals into Gatwick.
- Lobbying local MP Greg Clark and local Councillors to stand up for Tunbridge Wells.
- Liaising with other pressure groups fighting the Gatwick flight paths and arguing for noise mitigation.
We have brought TWAANG's Aims and Objectives described here up to date with our Constitution:
SHORT TERM AIMS
UNTIL 2022 - post Arrivals Review recommendations
UNTIL 2022 - post Arrivals Review recommendations
- In essence, full and speedy implementation of the Arrivals Review recommendations.
- Wide Swathe with the earliest joining point at 8nm* on the ILS and emulating as closely as possible the pre-2013 flight path distribution.
- Continuous Descent Approaches from maximum height and at approximately 3 degrees, using a Low Power Low Drag (LPLD) configuration. This would result in additional height over the Tunbridge Wells conurbation and elsewhere.
- Early modification of all A320 series aircraft using Gatwick, including those of EasyJet and British Airways, to stop the whine.
- To support Tunbridge Wells representation at GATCOM and to represent Tunbridge Wells on the Noise Management Board.
- Reduction in numbers of night flights and implementation of the earliest joining point for night flights at 8nm (currently at 10nm).
LONGER TERM AIMS – Precision Based Navigation (PBN).
2022 ONWARDS
2022 ONWARDS
- Influence the design of flight paths to avoid the Tunbridge Wells conurbation including schools, hospitals and heritage sites. This is in line with current government aviation policy where it is recommended that flight paths should avoid densely populated areas wherever possible and minimise the number of people affected. It is also essential to ensure that the adverse environmental impact from airplanes, most particularly aircraft noise, it is given proper consideration.
- Maximum Height, 5* (high standard) Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs) and the Arrivals Review recommendations with respect to stacking over water and timed arrivals etc.
- The number of night flights and the impact of these on the population of the Tunbridge Wells conurbation to be minimised.
