CPRE Surrey joins national call for fair appeal rights on aviation reforms

CPRE Surrey has joined 21 national community and environmental organisations in signing a letter delivered by hand to No 10 Downing Street, warning that proposed aviation reforms could remove residents’ access to a fair, independent review of airspace change decisions.

Why is CPRE Surrey concerned about proposed airspace reforms?

At CPRE Surrey, we are concerned that proposed airspace reforms could leave residents without meaningful independent scrutiny. We’ve joined 21 national community and environmental organisations in signing a letter, which was delivered by hand to No 10 Downing Street, warning that proposed aviation reforms could remove residents’ access to a fair, independent review of airspace change decisions. The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, raises concerns about the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill. Read the Full Letter.

What is the Civil Aviation Bill?

Campaigners say the Civil Aviation Bill would give the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) extensive new rule-making powers while weakening the ability of communities to challenge decisions that affect homes, schools, health, wellbeing and daily life.

Campaigners argue that, without an independent route of appeal, the CAA could remain decision-maker, regulator and final arbiter on airspace changes that may alter flight paths and noise patterns over communities with no external scrutiny. They are calling on the Prime Minister and Parliament to support an amendment establishing an independent aviation ombudsman to oversee the airspace change process and provide residents with a transparent, credible and accessible right of appeal outside the CAA.

What is CPRE Surrey’s view?

CPRE Surrey Chair, Jennet Eyre, said: “This Bill risks giving communities the worst of both worlds: more decisions made over their heads, with no independent way to review them. Residents deserve a process that is transparent, accountable and genuinely fair. If there can be independent oversight for passengers, consumers and proposed for the Clean Water Bill then there must also be independent oversight for the communities living under flight paths.”

The environmental groups stress that their campaign is not anti-aviation. “We recognise the need for a safe, efficient and modern aviation system, but say that reform must not place industry convenience ahead of public accountability,” says Jennet Eyre. “Families on the ground should not be left to live with increased noise, sleep disruption, health impacts or loss of amenity from concentrated flight paths without a clear, independent way to challenge how those decisions are made.”

The Bill is expected to proceed through further parliamentary stages following its passage through the House of Lords. CPRE Surrey hopes that MPs from across the political spectrum will support an amendment creating an independent aviation commission.

How to help

To show your support, you can write to your MP asking them to support the amendment to the CAA Bill calling for an independent ombudsman to oversee airspace change.

For more information and a template letter for MPs visit cagne.org.