13.08.10
Repairs to Heathrow airport's taxiways mean residents in Feltham, Hounslow, Isleworth and Richmond face the prospect of extra plane noise for 6 weeks. Work to fix the taxiways is set to begin a month from today (September 13), and will mean it is unable to operate runway alteration, denying people living under the flight path their normal half-day of peace for 6 weeks.
The change means during days with westerly winds, which are most common, those living to the east of the southern runway will have to put up with planes approaching overhead throughout the day. Residents living west of the northern runway will also be affected, with planes taking off towards Windsor all day.
When there is an easterly wind, which happens around a quarter of the time, the usual practice will not change, meaning planes will take off from the southern runway, over Hounslow, Feltham and Richmond, and fly over Windsor to land on the northern runway. Runway alternation will continue as usual during the night, when there are fewer flights.
A spokesman for the airport said the work had to be carried out because some of the concrete blocks under the taxiways by the northern runway were in danger of becoming unstable. This could lead to the asphalt breaking up, posing a risk of debris getting in to aircraft engines.
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