HACAN East

Big changes in many of the boroughs impacted by London City following the election. Some big changes in the boroughs impacted by London City following the election. We have summarised them below.

Newham: from Labour to No Overall Control (NOC). I think it is likely that the Independents and Greens will combine to the control. Labour Mayor.

Waltham Forest: The big surprise. Labour virtually wiped out by the Greens.

Barking and Dagenham: Labour retain control with a reduced majority

Havering: Reform win

Bexley: Conservatives retain control

Bromley: Conservatives retain control

Greenwich: Labour retain control

Lewisham: Result due this morning. Green Mayor elected

Southwark: Labour lose to NOC. Likely Greens and Lib Dems will take control.

Lambeth: Still counting! Too close to call but Labour losing seats to Greens and Lib Dems

Westminster: Conservative gain from Labour

Tower Hamlets: Results expected this morning. Aspire retains Mayor.

Hackney: Greens win Council and Mayor from Labour

City's consultation on its shallower approaches on 17th May. Below is HACAN East response

London City's first consultation event into larger planes flying lower on their final approach was held near Poplar yesterday. The event included a sound booth where you can listen to the existing and a simulation of the new ones. You can listen at home: https://lcy.airspace-noise.arup.com/

A reminder that the first of City Airport's consultation drop-in events on its plans to introduce shallower flight paths will take place tomorrow (Thursday 9th April). Drop in any time between 3pm and 7pm. Idea Store, Chrisp Street, Tower Hamlets, E14 6BT

Fascinating survey reported in the Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-15660439/250-worst-postcodes-airplane-flight-blight-thousands-wiped-value-home-list.html

Looks nationwide at the postcodes most impacted by aircraft noise. Kennington in South London comes top, closely followed by Herne Hill and Vauxhall, all areas overflown by Heathrow and London City aircraft.

On Thamesmead the survey found: ""Thamesmead, east London, is earmarked for 15,000 homes. However, because it is directly in line with City Airport's runway, homeowners risk losing between £70,000 and £84,000 on a £350,000 property".

Revealed: The 250 worst postcodes for airplane 'flight blight' More than a quarter of a million households are living under some of the worst aircraft noise in Britain - and experts warn the misery may only just be beginning.

SHALLOWER APPROACH CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
2nd March 2026
London City has launched a wide-ranging consultation to intoduce shallower approach paths to allow for new, bigger planes, like the A320neo to use the airport. At present planes using London City land at an angle of 5.5 degrees (amongst the steepest in the world). But bigger planes will need an angle of 4.49 degrees. The consultation will last from 2nd March to the 17th May.
The shallower approaches will only be required on arrival. They will be most noticeable on the final approach - over Belvedere and Thamesmead from one direction, and over Tower Hamlets and Newham from the other direction.
London City argues that the larger planes, quieter than the E190 which makes up most of the current fleet, will enable it to bring in a larger number of passengers while limiting the increase in flight numbers.
Earlier this year HACAN East published a report it commissioned from the Aviation Environment Federation comparing the A320neo with the other aircraft expected to be using the airport.
It found the difference between the noise from the A320 compared to other planes is mostly not great. Sometimes it is a bit noisier; sometimes a bit quieter. Mostly a difference imperceptible to the human ear. But report makes the point that two things could change that: the planes flying lower (and it called for real life tests to be carried out which has not happened yet) and, if they prove noisier, the number of larger planes which eventually use the airport.
http://www.hacaneast.org.uk/s/Noise-Lessons-for-London-City-Airport-1.pdf
For more information on the proposals and how to respond:
https://assets.ctfassets.net/lmkdg513arga/3ssoBdQpJdiSl86oimWHcM/6ceba94b1259505a68e3ffcde730e8e1/LCY_Consultation_Summary_Document.pdf
The airport has organised 3 public drop-in sessions where people will be able to view the proposals:
Thursday 9th April, 15:00-19:00 – Idea Store, Chrisp Street, Tower Hamlets, E14 6BT
· Thursday 16th April, 15:00-19:00 – Wanstead Library, 3 Spratt Hall Road, E11 2RQ
· Tuesday 21st April, 15:00-19:00 - Thamesmere Leisure Centre, Thamesmead, SE28
It is holding webinars:
If you would like to register to attend one, email [email protected] .

assets.ctfassets.net

London City Airport has appointed Andy Cliffe as Chief Executive Officer, taking the reins from Alison FitzGerald, who is stepping down. Cliffe has held previous leadership roles at Manchester Airports Group. https://www.regionalgateway.net/london-city-airport-welcomes-new-ceo/ This has come out of the blue.

London City Airport welcomes new CEO - Regional Gateway London City Airport has appointed Andy Cliffe as Chief Executive Officer, taking the reigns from Alison FitzGerald, who is stepping down.

This article contains some inaccuracies (City Airport is not planning to extend its operating hours and Heathow flights don't start at 3am) but the basic point is right: the huge expansion of Thamesmead will be impacted by aircraft noise.

New Towns set to be blighted by 'critical' levels of flight path noise Exclusive: Both Thamesmead and Crews Hill in Enfield - two major developments shortlisted by the government's New Towns Taskforce - sit beneath flight paths from the capital's major airports

DATES FOR CONSULTATION ON SHALLOWER APPROACHES

London City will be conducing a wide-ranging consultation it to intoduce shallower approach paths to allow for new, bigger planes, like the A320neo to use the airport. At present planes using London City land at an angle of 5.5 degrees (amongst the steepest in the world). But bigger planes will need an angle of 4.9 degrees. The consultation will last from 2nd March to the 18th May. More details as we get them

Good article in today's Guardian about worries that communities may be sidelined over the forthcoming flight path changes. In particular that noise will be prioritised only up until 4,000ft. After that climate will be prioritised. We argued forcefully in our response to the consultation the noise should be given priority up to 10,000 ft. Detailed consultation on the new flight paths expected 2027. As ever we will be pushing hard for the end to the concentrated flight paths and the introduction of respite.

UK aviation reforms could sideline public input over flight paths, campaigners warn Plans to speed up airspace changes for Heathrow expansion could mean industry influences decisions on noise and routes