Published: Wednesday, 16th July, 2008 09:30
Flight path residents in noise survey snub
By Julie Gilbert
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RESPONSE: MSP Gil Paterson posting more than 700 letters from Bankies to BAA
Angry Bankies have sent hundreds of letters expressing their annoyance at being overlooked in plans to reduce noise levels from Glasgow airport.
The British Airports Authority (BAA) issued a draft noise action plan prioritising Yoker, Bearsden and Linwood, as those most affected by noise from aircraft.
The action plan is a consultation on what can be done to reduce noise levels.
Clydebank residents, however, are saying that Whitecrook, Linnvale, South Drumry and Central Clydebank are equally, if not worse affected.
But to their fury these communities have not been mentioned in the action plan and residents were not officially consulted.
However, after the involvement of MSP Gil Patterson, 702 letters from Bankies expressing their concerns have now been sent to BAA.
Thomas Brady, treasurer of Clydebank East Community Council, said: “The flight path is right over the top of Whitecrook.
“It would never be as bad in Yoker.”
According to Thomas, BAA’s method of measuring the level of noise is skewed because it takes an average.
He said: “They average the noise over 16 hours, draw a line on a map and say we’re exposed to 66 decibels.
“But it’s the single event that matters — when the plane’s flying over at 94 and 100 decibels.
“That’s when our health is affected and our quality of life.” Thomas wants BAA to recognise that these Clydebank communities are suffering and help with funds to make things easier.
He said: “People accept that they can’t stop planes flying but BAA should face up to its corporate social responsibility.
“They should add a pound to ticket prices and put that money directly into a fund for the communities that suffer from this blight.
“They could use it for double glazing or sound proofing a room for somebody who is disabled.”
MSP Gil Paterson, is leading the campaign against BAA.
He feels BAA is only allowing consultation because it has to.
Gil said: “BAA has got a statutory duty to consult but it has kept it very quiet.
“It was totally by accident that I found out about it.”
Gil sent out a suggested letter for people to sign that he could pass on to BAA.
The letter states that the Clydebank areas should be prioritised, the communities should get compensation and suggests night flying restrictions
This forms part of Gil’s 15-year campaign to have airports in Scotland brought under Government control rather than being self-regulated.
Gil said: “Airports in Scotland are regulated by airports whereas in London they are regulated by the Government.
“People there are given compensation, double glazing and school children are periodically taken away from the area whereas we’re just supposed to suffer.
“BAA talk about having the most progressive noise level management programme but they’re just going through the motions.”
A spokesman for BAA said: “Glasgow Airport already has a raft of measures in place to manage noise and we currently exceed our statutory obligations.
“The comments submitted by Clydebank residents will prove invaluable as we begin work on the next phase of this process.”
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