Gatwick noise protest - Pulborough campaigners’ comments

A Pulborough campaign group protesting against noise caused by aircraft flying to and from Gatwick Airport took their campaign to the Department of Transport on Monday June 1.
PAGNE at the Department for TransportPAGNE at the Department for Transport
PAGNE at the Department for Transport

Ian Hare, chairman of Pulborough Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (PAGNE), and Christine Higham, press officer for the group, visited officials at the Department for Transport.

A statement from PAGNE said they were there ‘to discuss the blight caused by planes that have been overflying the Pulborough area for the first time in years since last August’.

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Earlier that day, a joint letter signed by protest groups from areas around Heathrow, Gatwick, and City airports was handed to the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport.

PAGNE Chairman Ian Hare said: “PAGNE was a signatory to the joint letter and we fully endorse its aims and demands. We recognise that there is no easy solution to the noise and pollution problems caused by aircraft movements but we object vehemently to the idea that individual groups of people should be singled out to suffer from these. The joint letter proposes a fair distribution so that everyone takes a fair share and we cannot argue with that.

“However, the Pulborough area has particular issues and we were able to put these to the Department of Transport officials we met on Monday. The area is known for its peace and tranquillity in a rural location within or close to the South Downs National Park.

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“With little in the way of ambient noise to deflect from aircraft overhead, the noise nuisance is that much more intense for those living under the flight path and we hope we convinced the DfT officials that this is extremely damaging to health and happiness.”

The group is urging people who live in and around Pulborough to join the pressure group and to provide more muscle in its fight to stop concentrated flight paths.

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