Airport bosses urged to consider flight path impact on residents

MP will discuss issues when he meets management

Edinburgh Airport will be urged to consider the impact of its proposed flight path changes on west Fife residents.

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman said he would discuss concerns raised by constituents when he next met airport management.

Residents in North Queensferry and nearby villages have expressed fears about noise and disruption.

Under the proposals, which are now in the hands of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), North Queensferry residents face being awoken by the sound of roaring engines at 6am when planes take off into an easterly wind.

There is also a route which would involve planes taking off into a southwesterly wind before making a tight turn over the village during the 6am to 10am peak time.

Mr Chapman said: “My office has had in the region of 40 emails from constituents, many in the North Queensferry area – an area which seems disproportionately affected. I’ve written to them all in the last week to say I am meeting again with airport management soon and that any issues constituents have raised with me will be discussed at the meeting.”

Councillor Dave Dempsey, who leads the Fife Conservative group and represents the Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay ward, called on local MPs to “step up to the plate” and ensure the CAA took residents’ concerns on board.

He said: “The public’s main concerns remain unanswered. In particular, we don’t know what it’s going to really be like living under these extra flights and, should it be as grim as some fear, we have no idea what might be done afterwards in mitigation.

“However, we do know that the decision lies with the CAA, that the CAA was set up by and answers to the UK Government and that our representatives are our newly elected MPs.

“So we’re calling on our local MPs to step up to the plate and ensure that the CAA takes full account of the comments and concerns of their constituents, including making sure that any postimplementation review has the teeth to make the necessary corrections.”

He also urged residents to take part in the CAA’s survey which can be found at: consultations.caa.co.uk/policydevelopment/aviation-noise-impacts/.

Edinburgh Airport said it had balanced the concerns of residents with operational requirements in selecting up-to-date RNAV routes to replace the old radio beacon system dating back to the 1950s.

Chief executive Gordon Dewar said there would be “further dialogue” with communities before a final decision is reached.

We don’t know what it’s going to really be like living under these extra flights and, should it be as grim as some fear, we have no idea what might be done afterwards in mitigation COUNCILLOR DAVE DEMPSEY