PRESS RELEASE
for 11/8/14 for immediate use
Heathrow’s busiest ever month together with the recent heat-wave have resulted in a record number of aircraft noise complaints received by campaign group HACAN . Heathrow’s figures for July, just released, show that 6.97 million passengers used the airport during the month (1).
HACAN chair John Stewart said, “Open windows at night coupled with more outdoor activities has meant that more than hundreds of thousands people in West London and beyond are having to put up with what at times seems like constant aircraft noise.”
He added, “It puts into perspective Heathrow’s current consultation on compensation – www.heathrow.com/publicconsultation – if a third runway is ever built. You simply can’t compensate people for the disturbance of planes thundering over as they sit in their gardens trying to enjoy the summer sunshine. And of course, there is increasing evidence that too much noise is as bad for your health as too much sunshine.”
Stewart said, “Just imagine how much worse the noise could be with a 3rd runway and at least 250,000 more flights each year using Heathrow”.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
(1). Heathrow records busiest month ever (6.97m pass., +0.5%), busiest day, & cargo up 7.8%. July results: http://bit.ly/1mBIhHU
For further information:
John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650