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Heathrow Airport: Noise

Volume 487: debated on Monday 9 February 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many individuals he estimates will live within the 57 decibel contour when the Heathrow third runway is expected to open. (253848)

Estimates of populations within the 57 decibel noise contour with a three-runway airport were presented in the November 2007 consultation document and supporting technical report on noise. Around 242,000 people are predicted to be within the 57 decibel contour in 2020 with around 605,000 annual movements, the maximum capacity we have supported initially. The new runway could open sooner with a lower capacity, but the timing and capacity will depend on the planning process and the mechanism we are establishing to ensure that local environmental limits, including noise limits are met, and will continue to be met.