More flight noise misery under Heathrow plan to tackle delays

Communities in west London could suffer more aircraft noise under plans to tackle delays at Heathrow.

Ministers today said rules could be relaxed when necessary, so that both runways can be used simultaneously for takeoffs and landings.

Normally, one is used for landings and the other for takeoffs, switching at 3pm so communities get a half-day respite from planes arriving.

Richmond, Barnes, Kew, Hounslow and Brentford will be among the worst-hit areas, say campaigners. Windsor and other communities to the west could be affected on days when there is an easterly wind. Aviation minister Theresa Villiers admitted there would be "winners and losers" as she launched the trial, which will start in the autumn. She said the special measures would be used "exceptionally".

Heathrow suffers modest disruption on about 50 days a year and severe delays on an average 15 days. Campaigners accept that slightly relaxing runway rules to cope with severe disruption caused by snow or a volcanic eruption could be justified.

But John Stewart, chairman of anti-airport expansion group HACAN ClearSkies, said communities affected by Heathrow need to be sure of peace for at least part of the day.

Katie Gent, 70, who lives nine miles from the airport in Barnes, said: "The only thing that makes living here bearable is the change of plane position in the afternoon. You can't live with a plane overhead every 90 seconds all day."

Karina Gregorian, 48, an economist from Ealing, said: "Perhaps there is an argument to say it would be useful in an emergency, but I'd like to know how they decide what an emergency is."

Currently, airport operator BAA only has very limited freedom to use both runways at Heathrow at the same time to clear major backlogs of flights waiting to land.