CAGNE Campaign calls for Airspace Ombudsman

Community and environmental campaign group CAGNE is encouraging residents to contact their MP over proposed changes to UK airspace.

As the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill progresses through Parliament, CAGNE is calling for the creation of an independent airspace change ombudsman, arguing that communities should have a clear, independent route to raise concerns about decisions that could affect aircraft noise, health, wellbeing and the countryside.

CPRE Surrey is pleased to support this initiative by CAGNE, one of our valued partners in campaigning on airport expansion and related aviation issues in our area.

The following press release has been issued by CAGNE and is reproduced in full with permission below.

Press Release – Ombudsman needed to protect residents’ interests 

For immediate release

Community and environmental groups are encouraging residents to write to their Member of Parliament to raise concerns about proposed changes to UK airspace and the potential impact of concentrated flight paths on homes, countryside, health and quality of life.

The call comes as the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL] progresses through Parliament. The Bill includes provisions relating to airspace change and would give the Civil Aviation Authority expanded rule-making powers. While modernising UK airspace is important, residents and community groups are concerned that people on the ground may be left without a clear, independent route to challenge decisions that have serious and lasting consequences.

Residents are being asked to contact their own MP and urge them to support the creation of an independent airspace change ombudsman outside the Civil Aviation Authority.

Why residents are being asked to act

This issue is not about airport expansion. It is about fairness, accountability and democratic oversight in decisions that could change the skies above communities for generations.

Under the current airspace change process, residents affected by aircraft noise can have very limited practical means of challenge once proposals have passed through the CAA consultation. Groups fear that the proposed arrangements may further reduce opportunities for ministerial intervention, meaningful appeal or independent scrutiny.

Communities beneath concentrated, and potentially new, flight paths can experience increased noise, sleep disturbance, anxiety, loss of amenity and impacts on wellbeing. These are not minor inconveniences. For many households, changes to flight paths can affect daily life, mental health and the peaceful enjoyment of their homes whilst in rural locations significantly reducing the value of homes.

What residents can ask their MP to do

Residents are encouraged to write to their MP and ask them to:

• support an independent airspace change ombudsman outside the Civil Aviation Authority;
• ensure affected communities have a fair route to raise concerns and seek review when flight path changes cause disproportionate harm;
• press for transparent evidence, proper accountability and independent scrutiny in airspace change decisions;
• recognise the health, wellbeing and property impacts experienced by residents living beneath concentrated flight paths or new flight paths.

Suggested statement

“A modern airspace system must not be achieved at the expense of fairness, health or democratic accountability. Residents deserve an independent route to raise concerns when decisions about flight paths affect their homes, sleep, wellbeing and quality of life. We are asking MPs to stand up for communities on the ground and support proper independent oversight of the airspace change process.”

How to contact your MP

Residents can find their MP using the UK Parliament’s Find MPs service by searching with their postcode. When writing, residents should include their full name and home address so their MP knows they live in the constituency. A short, personal message explaining how aircraft noise or airspace change affects them can be especially powerful.

Letters and emails should be polite, clear and concise. Residents may wish to ask their MP to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, raise the issue in Parliament, support amendments to strengthen independent oversight, or meet local residents to hear their concerns directly.

Call to action

Residents who are concerned about aircraft noise, flight path concentration or the lack of independent redress are urged to write to their MP now. The more MPs hear directly from constituents, the harder it will be for Parliament to overlook the lived experience of communities affected by airspace change.

Find out more at CAGNE’s website.