Heathrow insulation scheme: “more generous than we have seen before but a sign of how eager the airport is to get a third runway”.

Heathrow insulation scheme: “more generous than we have seen before but a sign of how eager the airport is to get a third runway”.

 Campaign group HACAN has welcomed today’s proposals by Heathrow Airport to provide residents with more noise insulation as “more generous than we have seen before but a sign of how eager the airport is to get a third runway.”

Heathrow Airport announced that, if a new runway goes ahead, it will extend its noise insulation scheme to cover everybody living within the area where noise is officially a problem (1).  It means that people living over 15 miles from the airport, in places such as Clapham, will get financial help to install noise installation; around 160,000 households in total.  The airport has set aside £700 million pounds for the purpose.

HACAN chair John Stewart said, “There is no doubt that this is much more generous than anything we have seen before and it brings Heathrow into line with other major European airports.  But it does show how eager the airport is to get a new runway.  It also suggests that residents have been short-changed in the past”.

Heathrow is dividing the area where people are eligible for insulation into the inner and outer zones.  Those living in the inner zone will get 100% of their costs covered.  Those in the outer zone will get a grant of up to £3,000.

The announcement by Heathrow comes a day before the end of the consultation by the Airports Commission into whether a new runway should be built at Heathrow or Gatwick.

ENDS

 Notes for editors:

 (1).  Technically, this is defined at the 55Lden contour, i.e. the area where noise averages out at 55 decibels or more over a 24 hour period.  It is the measurement used by the European Union.

For more information:

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650