1/2/2007

Letters

Silent majority has no problem with extra flying

I felt it was about time the silent majority started being counted regarding TAG’s proposed increased flying at weekends. We have recently moved back into the area after working in the West Midlands. I was born at Farnborough in the 1950s and have spent most of my time living in Farnborough and Fleet.

I cannot believe the outcry from the loud minority of residents who are complaining about the increased perceived noise re TAG’s intention to increase weekend flights. Anyone who has lived and worked in this area will know that there was a great deal more noise associated with the aerodrome in the 50s, 60s and 70s as a result of the military flying carried out by the Royal Aircraft Establishment. In the 50s and 60s, the Empire Test Pilots School was also based at Farnborough. Additionally the NGTE (National Gas Turbine Establishment) at Pyestock created a great deal of noise testing, among other things, Concorde engines at all hours of the day and night.

The aerodrome has been around for 100 years. Anyone who has lived here (and most who don’t) is aware that Farnborough is best known and has worldwide prestige for its aviation links. While I would agree that the local population and the authorities must ensure that safety concerns are always met, I for one want it to be known that there are many people who have no complaint with TAG and its objectives for Farnborough, the company’s involvement with Farnborough and the money that it has obviously invested. Far from making this area worse, it is actually enhancing the economic value of the area.

It is a shame that Rushmoor Borough Council hasn’t put some time and energy into shopping facilities at Aldershot and Farnborough, which are an absolute disgrace. TAG has invested heavily and its investment has attracted business and jobs to Farnborough — it should be credited for doing such a fine job and for making a significant contribution to the region’s future economic growth. Those people who want to go back to a time when all that was open on a Sunday was the newsagent should wake up and smell the coffee — have they seen the B&Q car park at the weekend?

It was said at the inquiry that the area is “overheated” and that Farnborough didn’t need extra business growth. Say that when the next economic downturn arrives.

It was also said that children are scared when they see “an 80 ton plane flying overhead” but most kids I have seen look up in amazement and can’t wait for the real fast (and noisy) planes at the next Farnborough Airshow. Perhaps they want to ban this too.

Also there has been much hype about the potential for an aircraft-related accident. As we all are aware, more so now than ever, there are accidents waiting to happen all around us. I would say that there is the same chance of a train flying off the embankment near to our house as there is of a plane coming down around Farnborough. Shall we ask for train traffic to be reduced?

A further point. We have moved near to a railway line. We knew that there would be trains passing by. We have no redress if there are 50 trains a day or 250 trains a day, or whether the traffic at weekends is increased by 500%, as the railway line was here long before us. Similarly we are not that far from the noise created by the M3 motorway, but we were aware of this when we moved to our new house. The complainers and Rushmoor Borough Council should look around and take a close view of what really matters to people — crime prevention, health, education, the elderly and jobs, to name but a few.

I say to the silent majority “come on, support extra flying at Farnborough at weekends” and FAB (Flying Attracts Business) Farnborough

John Welch
Penmar Cottage
Winchfield

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail