3:40pm Saturday 5th December 2009
A PARENT has spoken of his concerns about possible increased noise at another primary school if the flightpath at Southend Airport is extended.
In October, the airport brokered a deal with Southend Council and Rochford District Council to agree planes would fly over the outskirts of Rochford instead of Eastwood at night.
The deal was done to head off opposition in Eastwood and Leigh to the prospect of night flights.
Kevin Attridge, 51, of Stambridge Road, Rochford, has two children at Stambridge Primary School, and is worried daytime flights could increase over Rochford. He has set up an online blog on the issue, and said: “Blenheim Primary is suffering from noise pollution now. The noise problems from aircraft are recognised and will have an effect on children’s learning abilities.”
Headteacher Maureen Sealeaf said: “We are keeping our ear to the ground, but it’s still in the discussion and planning stage. All authorities involved are looking at it from different points of view.”
Airport managing director Alastair Welch said a noise impact assessment was made with and without a runway extension. He said: “Stambridge Primary School currently experiences less than 54 decibels of noise – and the assessment shows this will be the case in 2020 whether a runway extension is brought into use or not.”
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