MP Tim Yeo today joined the Evening Star's campaign to stop proposals to increase the number of noisy passenger jets flying over Suffolk.Air traffic bosses at NATS want to redraw the flightpaths over the county to cater for the huge growth in air traffic that has already taken place - 1,200 planes a day- and the increase set to happen over the next 20 years.
MP Tim Yeo today joined the Evening Star's campaign to stop proposals to increase the number of noisy passenger jets flying over Suffolk.
Air traffic bosses at NATS want to redraw the flightpaths over the county to cater for the huge growth in air traffic that has already taken place - 1,200 planes a day- and the increase set to happen over the next 20 years.
Residents in villages across Suffolk are now facing up to the prospect of more planes over their homes - exactly what the Evening Star has been warning through its Air Fair campaign.
Last night hundreds turned out to protest at plans to route aircraft over Lavenham and the surrounding area, likened to ploughing a motorway through the heart of idyllic countryside.
The area is just one of those affected - the Needham Market area is also earmarked for a Stansted stack, while places such as the Felixstowe peninsula already suffer 500 planes a day, many as low as 8,000ft.
South Suffolk MP Mr Yeo said: “This would be a tragedy for thousands of people in Lavenham and all the surrounding villages.
“We must fight to the very last and it is important residents make their views known.
“I am absolutely sure we have a chance to overthrow these plans.”
It is estimated that one aircraft would be heard every two minutes during peak times and would affect 37 villages.
The company is currently carrying out consultation over the changes to airspace and people have until May 22 to give their views.
NATS says it has taken into account populations on the ground and the changes would see flights rerouted away from many urban areas. There would be 22,000 fewer people living under stacks in future.
Do you think more planes should be sent over Suffolk? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
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