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Press Release

MPs call for action to protect scenic countryside from aircraft noise

9 July 2009

In a report published today the Transport Select Committee warns that 'current airspace guidance appears to allow unchecked increases' in flights over sensitive areas such as National Parks. This would progressively destroy the peace and quiet that make these areas special.

The report calls on the Government to limit flights over such areas and to introduce a national airspace master plan, two key demands the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) made when giving oral evidence. At present changes to airspace are considered without reference to each other or their overall impact.

Responding to the report, Ralph Smyth, Senior Transport Campaigner at CPRE, said:

'With ever more people holidaying in England this summer, the proposal to limit flying over sensitive parts of our countryside such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have not come a moment too soon.'

Understanding of what makes areas 'tranquil' formed a key part of the Inquiry's consideration of the environmental impacts of flying. In 2006 CPRE commissioned researchers to develop ways to value and map tranquillity. This research was referred to by many of those giving evidence to the Inquiry and the Committee concluded tranquillity was a key factor. CPRE is now collaborating with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to develop new measures to assess the impact of aircraft noise in tranquil areas.



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