End of the Cranford Agreement - But It's a Missed Opportunity

The Royal Borough has welcomed the government's decision to end the controversial Cranford Agreement which has caused misery to Windsor residents living under the flightpath at Heathrow airport - but claims the move "still does not go far enough" to alleviate the problem.

Describing the decision as a "missed opportunity" to share out the burden of aircraft noise for local residents, councillors and officers are urging the government to take the final step and introduce easterly alternation which would give more equal respite to more people living under the flightpaths.

The council's criticism is that there are currently no plans to take advantage of the opportunity to introduce the method of alternation which operates when the wind is coming from the west - with landings and take-o*** shared roughly 50-50 on the southern runway, and planes switching operations at 3pm each day, giving residents half a day's respite.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, chairman of the borough's aviation forum, said: "The ending of the Cranford Agreement is certainly a step in the right direction - but it is really a case of 'so near but yet so far' where our residents are concerned.

"It will have some benefit for people in Windsor and some other communities to the west of the airport - but it really is a missed opportunity to take the next step to introducing easterly alternation and share the burden more fairly.

"I would like to reassure residents that we will continue to work on their behalf and press the minister to consider taking the next step."