Airport’s expansion threatens even more noise for suffering residents

London City Airport’s proposed expansion will make worse existing noise pollution which already poses significant health and wellbeing risks to thousands of local residents.

The London Assembly Environment Committee has today written to London City Airport expressing serious concerns over their proposed expansion, which would increase the annual passenger cap from 6.5 million passengers to 9 million, and also extend the opening times of the airport on Saturdays.

Further concerns have been raised regarding a lack of transparency in the airport’s initial proposal submission, specifically around the changes to flight times and the impact this would have on residents’ health and wellbeing.

The Committee has also submitted the letter to Newham Council, the local planning authority, for consideration in response to the London City Airport expansion planning application.

The work follows a detailed investigation into light and noise pollution by the Environment Committee. As part of the investigation, the Committee invited London City Airport, as well as Heathrow Airport, to discuss concerns about their proposed expansions.

Whilst Heathrow attended the meetings, the Committee has also expressed its disappointment that London City Airport twice declined to attend.

Key areas of concern from the Environment Committee include:

• The impact of noise pollution on local residents and those on the flight path
• The carbon impacts of the expansion and the impact this will have on London’s net zero 2030 ambition
• The affect the expansion would have on the local road network, adding further congestion to London’s roads due to increased passenger numbers

Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, Zack Polanski AM, said:

“The proposed expansion of London City Airport is, in the view of the Environment Committee, inappropriate and would disproportionately affect thousands of Londoners in the local area.

“Throughout our investigation, we heard from residents, noise pollution experts and other key stakeholders about the affect aircraft noise has on the health and wellbeing of Londoners.

“Given the fact London City Airport declined to attend one of our committee meetings to discuss these concerns, we feel it is only right that we submit this letter to Newham Council to express our serious concerns about the proposed expansion and the impact this will have on Londoners.”