Draft Noise Action Plan - Public Consultation

LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport is reminding the public that there is just less than 1 month remaining to participate in its public consultation regarding aircraft noise as it seeks views on its proposed Noise Action Plan.

The purpose of the Draft Noise Action Plan is to describe how, under the Environmental Noise Regulations (England) 2006, the Airport proposes to deliver on its obligations under the European Environmental Noise Directive.

The Draft Noise Action Plan sets out how the Airport plans to manage the impacts of aircraft noise over the next 5 years and the Airport welcomes comments from individuals and organisations on the Action Plan, how it could be improved and what practical additional measures others would like to see included.

The Draft Noise Action Plan is available to download from the JLA website. 

The public consultation will end on 21 October 2009 and the Airport is requesting comments to be sent to the Environment Team at the Airport by post, via the Airport website or by email before the closing date.

Following the public consultation, a summary of the final Noise Action Plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs before the end of November 2009.

STATEMENT FROM DR JANET ATHERTON, CHAIR OF SMOKEFREE NORTH WEST

SMOKEFREE North West has applauded the overwhelming vote by Members of the Scottish Parliament in its first stage (24 September) to remove all tobacco displays from shops and ban cigarette vending machines.

Westminster MPs will vote on similar proposals on 12 October, which will put an end to cigarette advertising at the point of purchase and restrict vending machine sales, as part of the Health Bill.

Dr Janet Atherton, Chair of Smokefree North West, is urging the region’s MPs to support the measures outlined in the Bill. She said:- “There are almost 13,000 smoking-related deaths in the North West every year and 83,600 young smokers in our region. As nearly all smokers start young, deep, long-term cuts in smoking prevalence will only be achieved by preventing children and young people taking up the habit.

We believe the introduction of new legislation here - to remove tobacco displays from shops and cigarette vending machines - will help save lives by protecting children and young people from tobacco harm.  Last year, 60,000 people in the North West responded to a public consultation to show their support for the measures, which demonstrates over-whelming public support.

I would urge MPs to listen to the people in our region and back the new legislation, which will take us one step further to a tobacco free future.”