Castle Bromwich responds to flight path fears

PLANE SPEAKING: Meriden MP Caroline Spelman addresses local
residents during the recent meeting in Castle Bromwich.

FEARS about changes to flight paths have prompted residents in Castle Bromwich to set up a campaign group.
Efforts to mobilise opposition to some of the more controversial adjustments follow a meeting at St Mary and St Margaret's Church earlier this month, in which several dozen locals gathered to discuss the proposed alterations to air traffic.
The proposals, which are currently out for consultation, will see changes to northbound flights from Birmingham Airport and are set to have an impact on North Solihull.
While some residents are fairly unfazed by the plans, others have concerns about noise from aircraft and increased pollution.
Questions have also been raised as to the wording of the 50-page consultation document, with some criticism that it includes several leading questions and fails to address other queries.
Meriden's MP, Dame Caroline Spelman, who was among those to attend the recent meeting, said: "I was pleased be able to offer residents a guarantee that I will work closely with them and Birmingham Airport to campaign for appropriate noise mitigation and to ensure that local voices are heard.
"Having been in regular contact with the airport for some weeks with regards to this issue, I am pleased that following the meeting we have already secured some changes to the format of the consultation. These will serve to better ensure that views can be properly expressed."
David Winstanley, Birmingham Airport's chief operating officer, said: "The airport is very, very conscious that this is a sensitive issue”.
"We are providing the [consultation] website and information so that residents can dig down and find the answers to the questions they wish."
The consultation runs until October 9. You can have your say here.