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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Heathrow noise case at High Court | Heathrow noise case at High Court |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The government is facing a High Court challenge by councils aiming to cut the number of aircraft arriving at Heathrow airport early each morning. | The government is facing a High Court challenge by councils aiming to cut the number of aircraft arriving at Heathrow airport early each morning. |
| Richmond and Wandsworth councils in London, and Berkshire's Windsor and Maidenhead council, claim some flights before 0600 BST break rules on noise. | |
| They hope airlines will withdraw early flights or use quieter aircraft. | They hope airlines will withdraw early flights or use quieter aircraft. |
| The Department for Transport (DfT) said its policy on night flights followed "extensive" public consultation. | The Department for Transport (DfT) said its policy on night flights followed "extensive" public consultation. |
| There are around 16 early morning arrivals at Heathrow each day between 0430 BST and 0600 BST. | There are around 16 early morning arrivals at Heathrow each day between 0430 BST and 0600 BST. |
| 'Should be grounded' | 'Should be grounded' |
| The councils claim the DfT acted unlawfully in failing to do anything after it was discovered three years ago that some early-arrival planes had been placed in the wrong noise category. | The councils claim the DfT acted unlawfully in failing to do anything after it was discovered three years ago that some early-arrival planes had been placed in the wrong noise category. |
| Lawyers for the councils will argue the government failed in its duty to protect residents from excessive noise at night. | Lawyers for the councils will argue the government failed in its duty to protect residents from excessive noise at night. |
| Wandsworth council leader Edward Lister said: "The flaws we have unearthed should have been corrected. | Wandsworth council leader Edward Lister said: "The flaws we have unearthed should have been corrected. |
| "Those aircraft types which break the rules should be grounded. | "Those aircraft types which break the rules should be grounded. |
| "If we win, it could mean the government having to set limits for the first time at a time of day when many people are still asleep." | "If we win, it could mean the government having to set limits for the first time at a time of day when many people are still asleep." |
| Other authorities backing the challenge are Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow, Hillingdon and the Greater London Authority. | Other authorities backing the challenge are Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow, Hillingdon and the Greater London Authority. |
| Giant 'no' | Giant 'no' |
| All the councils backing the Judicial Review are members of the 2M Group, an alliance opposing Heathrow expansion, in particular a third runway and a possible sixth terminal. | All the councils backing the Judicial Review are members of the 2M Group, an alliance opposing Heathrow expansion, in particular a third runway and a possible sixth terminal. |
| Meanwhile mothers and children plan to protest against Heathrow's proposed third runway in central London's Parliament Square. | Meanwhile mothers and children plan to protest against Heathrow's proposed third runway in central London's Parliament Square. |
| Members of environmental group We Can will form the shape of a giant "no" and hand a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. | Members of environmental group We Can will form the shape of a giant "no" and hand a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. |
| A DfT spokesman said: "The case is being heard this week and it would be inappropriate to comment further." | A DfT spokesman said: "The case is being heard this week and it would be inappropriate to comment further." |