Air travel, and the aircraft noise that accompanies it, have become an integral part of modern life, but perceptions of aircraft noise vary greatly, mainly depending on where it is experienced.
For most people, who do not live near to a major airport, air travel is exclusively defined in terms of the considerable economic or social benefits that it brings. On the other hand, for those who live near major airports, aircraft noise can be an imposition. The time has come to adopt a fresh approach, to restore trust and give people the confidence that their legitimate grievances are being addressed.
We believe that the establishment of an independent aircraft noise ombudsman, set up at arm's length from government and the industry, could play a fundamental role in further establishing trust and confidence, thus bringing about a fair and reasonable balance between increasing demand for flights and noise control.
Building on the common ground and goodwill built up among the interested parties, the ombudsman would collaborate with all of them to report on noise in an open, transparent and intelligible manner, and to deal with noise limitation problems fairly and sustainably.
We therefore call on the government and politicians of all colours to work collaboratively with all stakeholders on designing, and thereafter the early establishment of, an independent aircraft noise ombudsman to further enhance and protect the welfare of people living near airports.
*Stephen Alambritis* leader, Merton council
*David Amess MP* Con, Southend West
*Tony Arbour* *AM* Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow
*Jennette Arnold* *AM* Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest
*Bob Blackman* *MP* Harrow East
*Mark Boleat* chair, policy and resources committee, City of London Corporation
*David Brazier* cabinet member for transport and environment, Kent county council
*Robert Buckland MP* Con, South Swindon
*Sir Steve Bullock* Mayor of Lewisham
*Muhammed Butt* Leader, Brent council
*Jim Cunningham MP *Lab, Coventry South
*Tom Copley* *AM* London-wide
*Brenda Dean* Lab, House of Lords
*Andrew Dismore AM*, Barnet and Camden
*Jim Dobbin MP* Lab, Heywood and Middleton
*Len Duvall AM* leader of Labour group, Greenwich and Lewisham
*Roger Evans AM* deputy chairman of the London Assembly, Havering and Redbridge
*Stephen Fry* chief executive, Hounslow Chamber of Commerce
*Zac Goldsmith* *MP *Con, Richmond Park
*Robert Gray* director, Back Heathrow
*Rt Hon Sir Alan Haselhurst MP* Con, Saffron Walden
*Gavin Hayes* director, Let Britain Fly
*Dr Julian Huppert MP* Lib Dem, Cambridge
*Darren Johnson AM* chair of the London Assembly
*Jenny Jones AM* leader, Green Group at the London Assembly
*Stephen Joseph* chief executive, Campaign for Better Transport
*David Lammy MP* Lab, Tottenham
*Mike Langan* chair, Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce
*Lisa Lavia* managing director, Noise Abatement Society
*Caroline Lucas MP* Green, Brighton Pavilion
*Caroline Nokes MP* Con, Romsey and Southampton North
*Steve O'Connell AM* Croydon and Sutton
*Lib Peck* leader, Lambeth council
*Roger Reed* deputy leader, South Buckinghamshire district council
*Philippa Roe* leader, Westminster city council
*Ben Rogers*, director, Centre for London
*Andrew Rosindell MP* Con, Romford
*Sir Bob Russell MP* Lib Dem, Colchester
*Dr Onkar Sahota AM* Ealing and Hillingdon
*Valerie Shawcross* *AM* Lambeth and Southwark
*Henry Smith MP* Con, Crawley
*Nicholas Soames MP* Con, Mid Sussex
*John Stewart* chair, Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise
*Jeremy Taylor* chief executive, Gatwick Diamond Business
*Baroness Valentine* chief executive, London First
*Joan Walley MP* Lab Stoke-on-Trent North
*Tim Yeo MP* Con, South Suffolk
*Professor Xin Zhang* professor of aircraft engineering, University of Southampton
Reported by guardian.co.uk 3 hours ago.