Representation by Nicola Anne French
- Date submitted
- 10 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSED SIZE OF THE EXPANSION IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF LUTON WHO LIVE UNDER THE FLIGHT PATH. THE PROPOSAL IS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF PASSENGERS FROM 18 MPPA TO 32 MPPA WHICH IS NOT FAR FROM DOUBLING THE CURRENT AMOUNT. THERE IS ALSO THE ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT TO THE COUNTRYSIDE AREA WHICH WOULD BE TAKEN FOR THE EXPANSION. THIS SITUATION IS NOT HELPED BY THE FACT THAT THE PLANES NOW FLY OVER THE GARDENS AND HOUSES OF CUTENHOE ROAD RATHER THAN OVER THE LAND BEYOND IT LIKE THEY USED TO. IF THE AMOUNT OF PLANES ARE ALLOWED TO INCREASE TO SUCH A LEVEL, IT WILL MAKE IT UNLIVABLE ON A DAILY BASIS FROM THE NOISE IMPACT, AS WELL AS A POTENTIAL HIGHER SAFETY RISK. HAS IT BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE PLANES WILL ALSO FLY DIRECTLY OVER SCHOOLS, PARKS AND A RESIDENTIAL AREA? THERE IS ALSO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WHEN WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO REDUCE OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE. I REALISE THAT A LOT HAS BEEN INVESTED IN THE DART LINK WHICH IS HAILED AS A LOCAL RESOURSE, BUT IS NOT REALLY AIMED AT LOCAL RESIDENTS UNLESS USING THE AIRPORT. IT HAS ONLY HAD AN UPTAKE BECAUSE AS SOON AS IT WAS OPENED, THE EXISTING SHUTTLE BUS WAS REMOVED. I COMMUTE FROM LUTON AIRPORT PARKWAY DAILY, AND HAVE HEARD LOTS OF PASSENGERS QUERYING WHY THE SHUTTLE WAS STOPPED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DART IS CONSIDERABLY MORE EXPENSIVE. THEY'RE ONLY USING IT AS THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE. I BELIEVE THE AIRPORT IS AN ASSET TO LUTON, BUT ALSO BELIEVE THAT SUCH A LARGE EXPANSION WOULD BE VERY DETRIMENTAL TO THE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE IMPACT ON THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES AND HEALTH AND WELL BEING