The air industry regulator's former chief scientist has called on the Government to commission a new study into the effects of aircraft noise on residents around Heathrow Airport. Anti-expansion campaigners and local councils, including Wandsworth, said the call - which has also been supported by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson - could be used in a legal challenge against the Government's planned expansion.

Professor Peter Brooker - who worked as chief scientist at the Civil Aviation Authority from 1991 to 1998 - said the Government's position on the aircraft noise was "illogical". A new study was necessary because previous reports were either inconclusive or outdated, he said, and vital for the Government to regain the public's trust for a controversial policy that will affect generations.

Read the full story in The Richmond & Twickenham Times.


The government's position on aircraft noise is not just illogical - it's wrong. It directly contradicts the findings of the World Health Organisation and uses data from 1985 to spin its case when more recent reports are available.

Who do you believe? Professor Brooker and the World Health Organisation, or Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson?