City Hall: calling for action on helicopter noise in the capital

Action must be taken on the increasing helicopter noise over the capital, according to the London assembly's environment committee.

An investigation by the committee estimated that over the past four years the number of helicopter movements in the capital's skies has increased by almost 20 per cent.

A public hearing on the issue found that Londoners are growing more concerned about the noise.

It is the first time the issue of helicopter movements and noise in London has been investigated and now the committee is calling on the government to respond to the findings.

Committee chairman Darren Johnson said: "Londoners already have to contend with endless noise from planes damaging their quality of life and now helicopters are adding to the misery.  

"Our report recommends a number of ways to reduce the problem, ranging from proper monitoring of helicopter movements to charging for using the capital's airspace.

"The Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority need to take action now to reduce noise pollution from helicopters, or the situation will become unbearable for many people."

The report calls for the introduction of a charge for helicopters using London's air traffic services and better incentives to encourage operators to replace older helicopters with newer, quieter models. 

Conditions could be imposed on the use of helicopters for advertising and media. 

It also found data held on helicopters by the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority to be unreliable.

The report says more comprehensive information on helicopter movements should be held and should be made easily accessible to the public.