COMPLAINTS OVER NOISE POLLUTION FROM TRAINING CRAFT ARE TAKEN TO WESTMINSTER

ADEBATE was held in Westminster over noise pollution in Gwynedd and Anglesey caused by the Texan T1 training aircraft.

The state-of-the-art aircraft were introduced to RAF Valley back in 2019, replacing the Tucano as part of a £1.2billion investment into a fixed-wing aircraft training programme.

They have been the subject of noise complaints ever since they first took off from the Anglesey base, but these complaints have soared with more people working from home amid the pandemic.

The aircraft, known for its incessant howling noise when it dives, is restricted from operating over water due to safety issues with the onboard life raft, harness, and lifejacket.

This means flights confined over land more populated areas Arfon and Dwyfor.

Having first raised the issue with the MoD and RAF Valley more than a year ago, Hywel Williams MP was assured steps were being taken to address the problem, but the aircraft has still not been fitted with the safety equipment needed for over-sea flights.

Mr Williams said: “Constituents continue to report frequent noise pollution from the Texan T1. are in of

“This is despite assurances that steps were being taken to equip the aircraft with the necessary equipment to allow the planes to fly over the sea, which would reduce the impact on populated areas.

“No one is questioning the need for the RAF to be able to train properly, but residents must always be considered.”

One of the main issues in the saga over the planes’ usage is that they do not have the necessary safety equipment to fly over water during rough seas.

This was addressed during the debate, with Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin saying work is under way to ensure the necessary equipment is fitted.

The minister said: “To be absolutely clear, the Texan aircraft can operate over water. The issue we have is what kind of sea states it can fly over.

“The life preserver making certain there is a light that comes on automatically if the plane hits the water, that has now been sorted.

“There was an issue with the harness which has also been sorted.

“The remaining issue is to ensure there is an automatic liferaft on board that would deploy in the event of the plane coming into contact with the water. That has not yet been fixed.

“That needs to be addressed, but I can’t give a timescale on that.”

Mr Quin said even when the remaining pieces of safety equipment are fitted, the Texans will continue to fly over land.

“I would stress there will always be certain proportion of training that has to be conducted over land and the area north of [RAF Valley] over the Irish

Sea contains some of the busiest civil airways, with stringent traffic control procedures which does limit our ability to fly in that environment.”

Though it may be of little solace to the residents affected, the minister pointed out that the Texans are actually quieter in some senses than their predecessors.

He said: “In terms of decibels, this plane is quieter than the one that preceded it. What I recognise is that there is a low hum, which can be heard over a longer distance, even though the decibel level may be lower.”

The debate ended with Mr Quin assuring the Arfon MP that measures are being taken to “ensure that the disturbance is as limited as is practical”.