MP welcomes plan for aviation group
A West Lothian MP has won a battle to have an independent aviation body set up in the wake of the new flight path trials at Edinburgh Airport.
Hannah Bardell, SNP MP for Livingston, has called for an Independent Aviation Noise Authority (IANA) t o be introduced, saying that the consultation over the new flight paths at Edinburgh Airport highlighted the failures of the current system.
Hannah said: “Constituents in my Livingston Constituency were the first people in the UK in over 40 years to be subject to a flight path trial and the lack of structure for engagement with local communities meant many people did not feel they were properly consulted with.
“As the UK develops its new airspace plans it is vital that an Independent body is created to ensure local communities like mine, can effectively engage and have their voices heard. Equally, it’s vital that airports understand what is expected of them and have a proper framework to work within.”
Residents of Winchburgh have already complained to the Civil Aviation Authority over the airport’s original consultation which they believe to be invalid as they were not properly made aware that they would be effected by the new flight paths.
The UK Government now appears to have heeded Ms Bardell’s call for the creation of an IANA. In a statement made earlier this month the Secretary of State for Transport , Chris Grayling, said: “The consultation will set out our plans to establish an independent commission on civil aviation noise and bring forward proposals to improve how communities can engage and make sure their voices are heard. To complement this, we are proposing guidance on how noise impacts should be assessed and used to inform decisions on airspace options.”
Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, congratulated her colleague on the win. She said: “This is a massive win for Hannah and for the local community who have been impacted by aviation noise since the start of Edinburgh Airport’s TUTUR flight path trial in the summer of 2015.”