Hayes & Harlington MP John McDonnell, Local Councillors and residents came together on Sunday (22/08/2021) to call on the Government to end night flights at Heathrow, ahead of the second part of its consultation on night flight policy, which closes on 3rd September.
Night flights constantly affect thousands of people across large swathes of London and the Thames Valley. Being disturbed by these flights has major negative health implications for both physical and mental health.
In response to this consultation, local campaign group Stop Heathrow Expansion have asked for night flights to be banned completely at Heathrow, for a period of 8 hours every night. They argue that the move would benefit the health of local residents.
“We have the ongoing threat of the third runway which would obliterate this community but also the quality of life that people have, particularly impacted upon by night flights. We are campaigning for the end of Heathrow expansion but also the ending of night flights so people can get a decent night sleep.”
Geraldine Nicholson, spokesperson for Stop Heathrow Expansion said:
“Communities around Heathrow both need and deserve a decent night’s sleep every night, need night flights to end. The health impacts are clear. The aviation industry will argue for the supposed economic benefits night flights bring, but for residents the main implications of night flights are negative effects on physical and mental health, caused by disturbance during the night and very early hours of the morning.”
The final deadline for responses to this consultation is Friday 3rd September. People can send the Government their views by emailing night.flights@dft.gov.uk. A name and address should be included.
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