The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Probe launched after discovery of body in house in Crosshill.
Transport hub accused of showing public disrespect
Edinburgh Airport bosses plan to conduct a noise study underneath the proposed new flight path in Fife – but only after it has been approved.
Residents in Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay and North Queensferry reacted furiously upon discovering the plans and that only one monitor would be available for the whole area.
A public meeting heard how planes flying on the new E7A route across the south of Fife would create as much noise as a “busy roadside from five metres away” from 6am every day.
Chiefs at the transport hub insisted their noise studies for the flight path were based on models provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Calls have also been made to extend the consultation period, which is due to end on June 21, as several residents reported not receiving information about the proposed airspace change.
Communications director Gordon Robertson told the public meeting in Inverkeithing they were not obliged to carry out noise studies but would do so in good faith.
“The noise study won’t be part of the consultation period,” he said.
“We’ll be doing the noise study once it’s finished.
“We use the noise footprints that are generated by the CAA, that we’re given, and those are how the footprints are measured.
“We’re doing this so we can get a baseline of data so we can know how the new route is performing.”
The meeting also heard how the airport hoped to be able to make one aircraft depart every minute – prompting further fears the already noisy 6-7am period would become unbearable.
SNP MP Douglas Chapman blasted the transport hub for their “disrespect” towards the general public in the affected area and their delay in holding a meeting in the community.
Deputy Scottish Labour leader Lesley Laird, who chaired the meeting, added: “I think there is a legitimate ask tonight which is to extend the consultation period.
“There is gaps in the information, there’s gaps in communities who don’t yet have that information and if we are embracing the spirit of consultation, then I think that’s a reasonable ask to be considered at this point in time.”