CPRE, the countryside charity, surveys attitudes to aircraft noise

For the first time in a generation, our skies are full of the sounds of nature undisturbed by the noise of aircraft.

CPRE believes this rare glimpse of peace and tranquillity is a golden opportunity to gain a better understanding of how people really feel about noise pollution.
 
The charity is now calling on people to take part in a unique survey to assess the impact of aircraft noise across the country and how it how really affects people on a day-to-day basis.
 
One of the most noticeable changes about lockdown for many who live near to a major airport has been the absence of a near-constant background rumble of aircraft noise. The sounds feel especially intrusive in otherwise tranquil, rural locations, and country parks such as Tatton Park or Quarry Bank Mill. Previous research has shown that people show greater levels of annoyance at aircraft noise in rural locations where it clashes with their expectations of peace and quiet.
 
In addition to noise pollution, current aviation levels are incompatible with our net-zero carbon target. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has stated that a reduction of actual emissions from the aviation sector will play a key role in achieving the net-zero target; this runs contrary to the aspiration to increase aviation capacity.
 
Plans are now being developed to modernise airspace, which could lead to noise intrusion in previously unaffected rural areas in order to reduce aircraft noise over built-up areas.
 
CPRE’s Network Aviation Group is conducting a survey on attitudes to noise and other linked issues, and we would like to encourage as many people in Cheshire as possible to complete the survey before the closing date of 1st June.
 
The link to the survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/cpreaviation

CPRE is the countryside charity that campaigns to promote, enhance and protect the countryside for everyone’s benefit, wherever they live. As the local CPRE group in Cheshire, we work with communities, businesses and government to find positive and lasting ways to help the countryside across our county thrive - today and for generations to come.