Saltford Parish Council met with representatives of Bristol Airport to discuss concerns regarding flight noise, flight frequency and pollution and other key matters. SPC is aware that these concerns are shared by many residents, and that noise concerns particularly impact residents to the south of the village.
SPC appreciated the time of Bristol Airport’s Public Affairs Manager who attended the meeting with Bristol Airport’s Public Relations and Community Manager. The meeting with SPC Cllrs was held on 4 April at Saltford Hall. A short summary of the meeting was given at SPC’s April 2023 meeting under item 13 (see minutes for details).
Key points discussed included SPC’s request that it receives relevant consultations to share with residents; flight height/noise impacting residents; and flight times and flight frequency (particularly night flights). SPC also discussed clarity on how residents can accurately track flights and, if required, complain about noise disturbance.
Actions agreed
Saltford Parish Council raised that it wished to be informed about all relevant consultations that may be of interest to residents, so it could share awareness as well as respond as appropriate (following agreeing a response at public meetings). Bristol Airport’s representatives agreed to try and share any that they felt were relevant to Saltford Parish Council. SPC was made aware of a major consultation at the end of 2023 / early 2024 (details below) and it was agreed that the representatives from Bristol Airport would present information at a SPC meeting (open to residents) during the period that the consultation was live.
SPC was made aware of the Parish Councils Airport Association (PCAA) at the meeting. The PCAA is a voluntary organisation that represents parishes surrounding Bristol Airport in the districts of North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset. The PCAA’s main objective is to minimise the impact of airport activities on parishes and the local and global environment. SPC has since contacted the PCAA for information about gaining membership. Following the response received from PCAA stating that Saltford Parish Council would be a welcome addition to the group, SPC will formally discuss and agree joining the PCAA at SPC’s May 2023 meeting (including a spend of £75 for membership).
Bristol Airport’s representatives said that they would let SPC know who the B&NES Council representative is on their Airport Consultative Committee once their post-election meeting takes place in July 2023.
SPC requested information on how to track flights and how residents can make complaints to Bristol Airport if required (e.g. noise). This information was shared following the meeting and can be found below.
Flight altitudes above Saltford and how to track
SPC Councillors raised specific concerns about flight altitudes and noise above the south of Saltford, with examples given at the meeting sourced from FlightRadar24 (times and dates from summer 2022) , which Bristol Airport agreed to investigate. Following the meeting, they provided feedback that one particular (loud) night flight example given was higher than recorded on FlightRadar24 (at 3,664ft above south Saltford which was the height to be expected), and that although FlightRadar24 is a great tool which is also used professionally at the airport, it does not always accurately report altitude and airspeed of individual aircraft.
They advised that residents use Bristol Airport’s own aircraft tracking tool which allows flights to be ‘replayed’ and show what flights have passed over a location, when and at what altitude. This is available on Bristol Airport’s website WebTrak (emsbk.com) – direct link is here . (Further information is below on how to make complaints to Bristol Airport and how these are handled).
Request for noise and air quality monitoring in Saltford
SPC requested deployment of noise and air quality monitoring equipment in Saltford. The representatives responded to SPC’s request following the meeting to state that they have a small number of noise monitoring units which are moved around in response to complaints or other specific issues (and are left in place for around two weeks before being analysed by a third party). However, they added that these are typically used at properties closer to the airport and there is a priority waiting list. They said that monitoring in Saltford was a suggestion they were open to but only with clearly defined purpose and outcomes due to demand on monitoring equipment. SPC will consider this and respond in due course if required.
At the meeting SPC raised the possibility of combined noise and air monitoring in Saltford. Bristol Airport responded following the meeting to share that combined noise and air monitoring was not possible. Bristol Airport said that they do not carry out mobile air quality monitoring as they are looking for long-term trends in air quality. Further, it was shared that air quality monitoring was carried out at fixed points within and close to the airport. SPC was informed that monitoring of air quality is undertaken continuously, with real-time monitors recording levels of both NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) and PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns of less). Additionally, Bristol Airport informed SPC that passive diffusion tubes are deployed to monitor average monthly NO2 concentrations at nine locations across the Airport, which requires exposure of a tube on usually a weekly or monthly basis, which is then sent off to a laboratory for analysis. The results of the monitoring Bristol Airport carries out is available in its Annual Monitoring Report.
Airspace (especially arriving aircraft) & upcoming public consultation
SPC Cllrs raised questions regarding airspace, especially as Saltford lies to the east of Bristol Airport and is predominately impacted by arriving aircraft (due to the prevailing winds and aircraft preferring to fly into the wind when landing).
SPC was informed that aircraft movements at Bristol Airport are tightly controlled through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), NATS (who handle air traffic control in the UK), and through planning conditions governed by North Somerset Council. All runway approach profiles are defined by the CAA and imposed by NATS. These profiles are at eAIS Package United Kingdom (nats.co.uk) & are available online and a clear explanation of how airspace is managed is on NATS’ website at Understanding airspace – NATS
The representatives from Bristol Airport shared that airspace below 7,000ft is generally of interest to the public as it can have a direct impact on them. Following Councillors requests that planes fly over fields rather than houses where possible, it was informed that airspace managed immediately above and around Bristol Airport is being examined again as part of a UK-wide refresh. The Bristol Airport representatives reassured Councillors that this is a thorough process that requires multiple consultations, including of residents, parish councils, and councillors in a wide area. They expect that the consultation on this to be held in late 2023 or early 2024, but it could be later. They confirmed that they will contact Saltford Parish Council directly regarding the consultation. SPC took the opportunity to ask Bristol Airport to present at a public SPC meeting at the time of the consultation, which was agreed to. SPC was informed that that any changes following the consultation are unlikely to come into force until around 2027.
SPC was also informed that at the end of March, NATS made some significant changes to the airspace in the South West and Wales above 7,000ft. Above 24,500ft, Free Route Airspace will allow aircraft to fly their preferred route between a defined entry and exit point, which was not previously possible. Between 24,500 and 7,000ft, Systemised Airspace will introduce highly defined flight paths using the available airspace more efficiently than previous structures, which were based on now outdated technologies. More details on this on NATS website.
SPC questioned whether alternative altitudes or routes were permitted further to the information above. The Bristol Airport representatives shared that pilots are permitted to use alternative altitudes and routes by NATS in the case of emergency or adverse weather conditions – essentially anything that may endanger the safety of the aircraft and that this is controlled by NATS at Bristol Airport. SPC asked whether there were penalties and if these were enforced if the rules were broken without good reason, and was informed that where pilots ‘break the rules’ in terms of altitude or routes, Bristol Airport has the power to fine the airline, although added that the need to use those powers is extremely rare and that other engagement with pilots is generally carried out instead.
Flight altitudes, frequency and times
SPC Cllrs reiterated that flights were causing significant noise disturbance to residents especially during summer night times. SPC asked for information on how Bristol Airport is looking to reduce flight noise.
SPC was informed that Bristol Airport works with airlines and national air traffic control to implement a system of Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs), which minimises noise and fuel burn from aircraft. Using this system, below 6,000ft aircraft approach the runway in a descent at idle thrust where possible given the prevailing weather conditions. Previously, aircraft would ‘step down’ in altitude, which meant decelerating and accelerating, which just like a car causes more noise and fuel use. SPC was informed that Bristol Airport monitors levels of CDA monthly and feedback performance at a meeting with all its airlines, and said that this allows airlines to speak to pilots who have not used CDAs and advise them accordingly. It was shared that although CDAs have been in place for several years, Bristol Airport has new ambitious targets for 2023 – aiming for 95% of major airlines’ planes to deliver CDAs. Due to the reduction of ‘step down’ in altitude and the use of Continuous Descent Approaches, it is hoped that aircraft noise over the village will reduce. SPC was also informed that newer aircraft, increasingly being bought by airlines, are also quieter compared to older planes (more below).
Councillors asked questions with regards to the number and times of night flights over the village. Bristol Airport responded stating that regarding night flights, Bristol Airport operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but the airport is limited on the number of aircraft movements that can occur at night (2330hrs – 0600hrs). They are currently permitted to have 1,000 night movements during the winter and 3,000 during the summer (defined as when UK uses British Summer Time). It was added that there are, however, dispensations outside of these numbers to cover areas such as emergencies and where diversions would cause serious hardship to passengers. In a ‘normal’ year, these would number some 300 – 400 movements across the 12-month period.
The representatives from Bristol Airport added that in this night period, aircraft movements are also restricted by a noise quota limit, which is governed by the CAA. This allows a certain number of planes to land during the night, depending on how much noise they collectively produce. Generally speaking, SPC was informed that older planes generate more noise, which creates another incentive for airlines to use quieter, modern planes for routes to Bristol Airport. As mentioned above, SPC was informed that airlines are increasingly purchasing more modern and quieter planes, however this tends to be incrementally over several years.
SPC Cllrs put forward the suggestion that Bristol Airport charge airlines considerably more for night flights to discourage flights during unsociable hours, and stated that Bristol Airport should be looking into this as an option. Representatives from Bristol Airport indicated that this was not a possibility, despite SPC pushing for it to be a consideration to reduce the impact of flight noise on residents.
How to track flights and make noise complaints to Bristol Airport
With regards to flights, the representatives stated that Bristol Airport are keen to be as transparent as possible with regards to flight tracking. SPC expressed that it was keen to raise awareness about tracking and complaints processes with residents who may be disturbed by flights over the village.
The representatives shared information about Bristol Airport’s aircraft tracker tool. They explained that the tracker tool allows flights to be ‘replayed’ so it is clear what flights passed over a location, when, and at what altitude. The tracker available on the Bristol Airport website – https://webtrak.emsbk.com/brs2 & direct link is here.
Further to this, it was shared that Bristol Airport’s scheduled arrivals and departures are online at https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/arrivals-and-departures/arrivals and an Annual Monitoring Report detailing routings, aircraft movements, and other information is published annually. SPC was informed that Bristol Airport will publishing its latest report shortly.
It was also shared that residents may wish to be aware of maps showing Bristol Airport’s arrival and departure routes in its ‘Living near the airport – where aircraft fly’ document at https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media/1nkhjqgm/living-near-the-airport.pdf. The Bristol Airport representatives said that although this document is a little old, the routes are unchanged.
Residents are able to make noise complaints through Bristol Airport’s website at https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/corporate/environment/aircraft-noise/ . Bristol Airport can investigate any unusual disturbance from aircraft arriving and departing Bristol Airport or flying in close proximity. This page also has some frequently asked questions that Saltford’s residents may wish to view e.g. ‘Have the flight paths been changed?’ and ‘Are aircraft allowed to fly at night?’
SPC was assured that all complaints are registered and responded to, with a summary presented to Bristol Airport’s Airport Consultative Committee.
Next steps – PCAA membership & consultation late 2023 / 2024
SPC appreciates the Bristol Airport representative’s time and follow up correspondence with the Parish Council regarding concerns.
SPC will now look to respond to the upcoming consultation when published in late 2023 / early 2024. Details about the consultation, and presentation by representatives from Bristol Airport at a SPC meeting, will be shared on SPC’s website (Meetings – Agendas and Minutes page) and on SPC’s social media for the awareness of residents. Members of the public are welcome to attend and speak on items on the agenda at SPC’s meetings.
SPC will also share flight tracking information and share information on complaints to Bristol Airport.
As above, SPC will also discuss joining the Parish Councils Airport Association (PCAA), a voluntary organisation that represents parishes surrounding Bristol Airport with the main objective to minimise the impact of airport activities on parishes and the environment. This will be an item on SPC’s May agenda (yet to be published).
As always, residents are encouraged to keep an eye on SPC’s communication channels and meeting minutes for updates on SPC’s decisions and actions.
Image taken from Bristol Airport’s ‘Living by the Airport’ document (annotated) at https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media/1nkhjqgm/living-near-the-airport.pdf
Some SPC Cllrs prior to meeting with the representatives from Bristol Airport, to discuss concerns as raised by residents with regarding to flight paths and noise from arriving aircraft to Bristol Airport