We want to hear your views on aircraft noise

CPRE’s survey aims to collect information on the public perception and experience of aircraft noise.

One of the most noticeable changes about lockdown for many who live near to a major airport has been the absence of a near-constant background rumble of aircraft noise. The sounds is especially intrusive in otherwise tranquil, rural locations, places such as Tatton Park near Knutsford, or Quarry Bank Mill. Research has shown that people show greater levels of annoyance at aircraft noise in rural locations where it is clashes with their expectations of peace and quiet.

In addition to noise pollution, current aviation levels are incompatible with our net-zero carbon target. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has stated that a reduction on actual emissions from the aviation sector will play a key role in achieving the net-zero target; this runs contrary to the aspiration to increase aviation capacity by building further runways.

Plans are now being developed to modernise airspace, which could lead to noise intrusion in previously unaffected rural areas in order to reduce aircraft noise over built-up areas.

CPRE’s Network Aviation Group is conducting a survey on attitudes to noise and other linked issues, and we would like to encourage all our members and other interested parties to complete the survey before the closing date of 1st June – particularly as the quieter roads and skies have made many people more aware of the sound of the very occasional aircraft passsing over.

The link to the survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/cpreaviation