Damian continues to raise issues that impact local communities across East Hampshire, including concerns about flight traffic and noise at Farnborough Airport as well as concerns regarding motorbike noise along some key routes within the constituency.
Airspace Changes at Farnborough Airport
Pic: Damian with representative from Lasham Gliding Society
TAG Farnborough Airport began work on an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) as far back as 2014, with a view to introducing a new airspace design near the airport. After several consultations, the ACP was eventually approved by the CAA in July 2018,
Lasham Gliding Society applied for a Judicial Review of the CAA decision in October 2018, which was ruled on by the High Court in August 2019. Their decision was not to uphold the JR, with the implementation of the ACP going ahead in February 2020.
Throughout the consultation period, Damian continued to engage with local stakeholders, the CAA and TAG, representing the concerns of local residents and communities.
Part of the engagement with the CAA and TAG was to seek greater clarity on the proposed change in flightpaths and the potential impact this may have on communities in terms of being overflown, and at what height.
The attached matrix was put together by TAG and gives more information for the towns and villages most affected within East Hampshire. The chart includes details of the current arrival and departure flightpaths, and heights they're flown at, compared to the new flightpaths and heights proposed in the ACP.
A Post Implementation Review of the ACP was due to take place in late 2020, but has been postponed due to the impact of the pandemic. Damian continues to liaise with the Department for Transport on both the timing and scope of the review.
Detailed information on the CAA's decision on the ACP is available at: https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-industry/Airspace/Airspace-change/Deci…
Traffic Noise
Noise from motorbikes is a concern for residents who live close to routes used by bikers, including along the A32 and A272.
Damian has continued to work alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire County Council to consider ways to reduce the impact that is effective and sustainable.
Damian has welcomed the announcement by Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones that average speed cameras will be installed along stretches of the A32 and A272, in order to address the long standing issue of excessive vehicle noise that impacts residents who live close by. Along with other roads policing tactics, it is hoped that this will reduce the blight on an area that is known and valued for its peace and tranquility.
Damian said in a statement:
"Concerns about excessive vehicle noise on these rural routes and the impact this has on local residents, has been a growing issue. Often the result of speeding, excessive road noise not only blights the lives of local people, but threatens an area known and valued for its beauty and tranquillity.
“Along with neighbouring MP Flick Drummond and local councillors I have continued to engage with both Hampshire Police and the Hampshire Highways team. I want to thank them and Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones for securing the installation of average speed cameras on these routes.
“This is a significant investment, and I look forward to seeing the work completed.”
For more details on the PCC announcement, go to: https://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/investment-in-new-speed-camera-technol…
For information on the local Communities Against Noise and Speed group (CANS), please go to: https://www.canshampshire.co.uk/community/communities-against-noise-and…
A local trial using acoustic cameras was completed in 2019 and the Department for Transport is due to report its findings shortly.
