Dacorum MPs, Mike Penning and David Gauke, met senior management of NATS to highlight flightpath concerns.

Dacorum’s two MPs, Mike Penning and David Gauke, met yesterday with senior management of NATS – the organisation which operates air traffic control services in the UK – to discuss proposed changes to the flightpaths in and out of Luton.

Hemel MP Mike Penning said: ”Inevitably there will be winners and losers in this area, but one thing that is clear is that if these proposals go ahead, aircraft will be flying much lower in general and especially over villages previously unaffected.

“We called on the management to look again at the proposals. On the whole I think the meeting was constructive and they definitely left with a clear understanding of local concerns.”

“I urge anyone with concerns to respond to the consultation,” he added.

Speaking after the meeting, David Gauke, who represents Tring, Berkhamsted, Aldbury and Wigginton – areas which will be badly hit - said that he remains concerned about the proposals.

‘It is clear that we will suffer an increase in aircraft noise under these proposals and I have urged NATS to reconsider. The changes in routes will mean that more people will be living under flight paths. NATS should consider reverting to the existing routes and avoiding this well-populated area or allow flights to ascend and descend reasonably quickly – as they currently do - so that noise pollution is reduced. I would encourage local residents to respond to the consultation process by visiting http://www.consultation.nats.co.uk.’

The consultation period closes on 22 May.