THREAT OF NEW FLIGHT PATHS OVER BARNET DEFEATED: VILLIERS WELCOMES VICTORY ON 'MIXED MODE'

MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, has welcomed the Government's U-turn on 'mixed mode' at Heathrow Airport, which would have seen thousands of flights redirected over Barnet.

Heathrow currently operates a system of runway alternation which means landings and take-offs are alternated between its two runways in order to give communities living below the flight paths some respite from aircraft noise for part of each day. It shares out the noise burden between different areas.

The introduction of ‘mixed mode’ would have meant flights could take off and land on either runway throughout the day and that flight paths would have had to be redesigned for safety reasons, with turn-around points pushed out to the London suburbs and surrounding areas. This would have meant a significant increase in aircraft noise in Barnet.

Theresa Villiers MP said, “I strongly opposed the Government’s plans for mixed mode and campaigned against them. I am delighted that they have been defeated. This is a significant victory for Barnet because Labour’s proposals would have left residents in Barnet exposed to increased noise as well as planes circulating overhead as they wait to land.”

“I was determined to get Geoff Hoon to back off on ‘mixed mode’ at Heathrow Airport because it would have seriously affected the quality of life of so many of my constituents.”

“However, his decision to press ahead with plans to build a third runway at Heathrow is disastrous for thousands of people living in and around London. The fight will continue to defeat Labour’s plans for a third runway.”