Caroline Pidgeon, transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the concentration of flight paths from London City Airport that are starting today, said:
“The changes that are starting today will mean residents who were hardly overflown at all by planes from London City Airport a few years ago now face living under a concentrated flight path.
“Most days Bow, Leyton, Leytonstone, Wanstead, Redbridge, and Barkingside will be affected by departures from the airport. At the same time Thamesmead will be badly hit by arrivals. These areas will be hit about 70% of the time when a west wind is blowing.
“When the wind comes from the east all the departures will go over Barking Riverside, Dagenham and Hornchurch and the arrivals will go over Sidcup, New Eltham, Mottingham, Catford, Forest Hill, Dulwich Village, Herne Hill, Brixton, Stockwell and Vauxhall.
“Fundamental questions have to be asked as to why such important and long term changes have been allowed to take place with so little consultation.
“London City Airport did little more than merely bury a technical document on its website.
“It is also a great shame that London Boroughs such as Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich, Lewisham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest have done so little to inform their residents of these important changes or it would appear engage with London City Airport.”