Airport’s consultation vow over flight paths

Chief exec says they‘ll take public opinion on board

Edinburgh Airport has kickedoff a public consultation on the potential impact of altering flight paths above West Lothian.

It comes after heavy criticism following the TUTUR airspace trial over the county, which was stopped three months early in October.

People staying in Uphall, Broxburn and Linlithgow claimed their lives were plagued by the sound of jet engines during the trial.

Many were outraged when planes began flying over their houses despite no prior consultation last June.

And although it is expected the TUTUR path will become permanent, the airport’s chief executive Gordon Dewar insisted lessons had been learned.

He said: “We need to modernise and improve Edinburgh Airport in a way that maximises the benefits across Scotland and minimises the impact on local communities.

“This time last year we were – justifiably in some cases – criticised for not engaging thoroughly enough with our neighbouring communities before running a flight path trial.

“We’ve learned our lessons and this time round will do all that we reasonably can to ensure that everyone has their say on the future growth of Edinburgh Airport.

“We’ll also be engaging with community groups to help us have discussions in local communities.

“We are absolutely committed to undertaking a robust and meaningful consultation process; to give stakeholders even greater confidence we have commissioned the Consultation Institute to conduct a Quality Assurance of our consultation process.”

Regulations that cover modernising airspace means the airport must engage in an Airspace Change Programme (ACP).

That involves a two stage consultation process, the first of which was launched on Monday for 14 weeks up to September 12.

The results of that initial consultation will help guide the design and development of potential future flight path options which will be presented in a second consultation stage which is scheduled to commence on December 16.

Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop said: “Following the serious concerns about how Edinburgh Airport handled the recent flight path trial, it is vital that they learn the lessons and ensure that this consultation is open, fair and transparent and not just a rubber stamp for the TUTUR route.

“I understand that the first part of the consultation is to look at the wider issue of airspace use and for the airport to look at the use of existing paths which have also been the subject of concern.

“It is essential that my constituents in West Lothian engage with this consultation and make their views heard.”

And Lothian MSP Neil Findlay added: “There are many communities across the Lothians where there will be concern about this consultation, particularly those communities that have experienced increased noise and disturbance as a result of the new flight path trial.

“However, there are other residents in villages such as Pumpherston who will now have the opportunity to raise concerns about the disturbance that they have experienced over the years.

“I hope that many residents will make their voices heard during this exercise. The consultation must be genuine and not simply a tick box exercise or sham.”

Ensure everyone has their say on future growth of Edinburgh Airport Gordon Dewar