Help make a difference
There are a number of things you can do:
• Join HACAN ClearSkies
• Work with HACAN ClearSkies – give some of your time; take part
in protests
• Write or email politicians and other decision-makers
• Write or email letters to the press
• Contact BAA
• Take Direct Action
We give more detail on each of these suggestions below:
Join HACAN ClearSkies
Your membership subscription will help us to campaign more effectively against aircraft noise, and, as a member, you'll receive copies of our regular newsletter 'Take Off' and get further campaigns materials and support.
Work with HACAN ClearSkies
If you have a little time to spare you could help us with our research, local activities, or administration, depending on your talents. Or you could help with specific activites or help steer the organisation by joining the Management Committee. Contact us to find out how you can help by writing or telephoning us at 13 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9AU, tel 0207 737 6641, or by emailing us at info@hacan.org.uk.
Write a letter or drop an email to key people
Don't feel that you need to be an expert to write a letter or send an email. A short, simple, personal letter addressed to someone in authority to let them know you have a problem, or what your think of their aviation policy, is likely to be the most effective. Below is a list of people to choose from.
Top of the list:
Geoff Hoon MP, Secretary of State for Transport,
House of Commons, London, Westminster, SW1A 0AA. His department includes aviation.
You may well receive a reply from a civil servant on his behalf. The email for
Geoff Hoon is contact@geoffhoonmp.co.uk
and
Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Aviation Minister, House of Commons,
London, Westminster, SW1A 0AA. He is the junior minister in the Department for
Transport responsible for aviation. The email for Jim Fitzpatrick is fitzpatrickj@parliament.uk
Your MP: A letter to an MP is never wasted even if you know
your MP is onside, because MPs tend to gauge the level of concern by the amount
of letters they receive.
If you are not sure who your MP is or don’t know their email call the
House of Commons (0207 219 3000).
You can write to your MP at the House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA.
You might even want to go to your MP's surgery to talk about aircraft noise.
If you ring the House of Commons (0207 219 3000) and ask for your MP's office,
they will be able to tell you the times and places of the surgeries.
Lords can be contacted at House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW.
The BBC
website is extremely useful for locating contact information about MPs.
Your MEP: Europe is becoming increasingly significant in the battle against aircraft noise and pollution: A list of MEPs is available from 2 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AA., tel 0207 227 4300; email eplondon@europarl.eu.int MEPs are also listed on www.europarl.org.uk
GLA Member: GLA members can be contacted at City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA. If you want a list of GLA members or want to know who represents your area call the GLA switchboard on 0207 983 4000 or check out their website www.london.gov.uk.
Local Councillors: If you don't know who your ward councillors are, ring your Town Hall and they will be able to tell you and give you their emails.
Key Councillors: Key Councillors: In the case of aircraft noise, it will be the chair of the committee that deals with environment. Your council might also have separate committees that deal with planning or transport. You can write to/email them as well. Your Town Hall will be able to tell you who the relevant people are.
Contact BAA plc, the authority responsible for British Airports. There is a freephone Noise Complaints line on 0800 344 844 and an e-mail address noise_complaints@baa.com. If you would prefer to write then the address is: Flight Evaluation Team, Heathrow Airport Limited, Airside Suite, Second Floor, Building 820, Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex UB3 5AP.
Email or write to the press
Your Local Paper: Keep your letter fairly short. Letters are most likely to be published if they are in response to something in the paper. So keep your eyes peeled for noise and aircraft stories, and respond quickly. Don't be discouraged if your letter is not published: it is not a wasted effort since editors, like MPs, use the number of letters they receive to assess what the levels of concern are.
Take Direct Action
HACAN is not a direct action organisation, but some of our members take direct
action in an individual capacity. If you email us at info@hacan.org.uk
we can put you in touch with direct action activists.
The main direct action organisation regarding aviation is Plane Stupid. You
can find them on www.planestupid.com
