SIR - Sally Piercy (Planes and waste, July 9) is not alone in having concerns about being under a flight path from Luton Airport. Chiswell Green on the southside of St Albans is also experiencing similar conditions. Like those who live in North Harpenden,

SIR - Sally Piercy (Planes and waste, July 9) is not alone in having concerns about being under a flight path from Luton Airport.

Chiswell Green on the southside of St Albans is also experiencing similar conditions. Like those who live in North Harpenden, we have always been aware of planes taking off and landing but without engine noise being a particular problem from eastbound flights which used to avoid the area. In the last couple of years, however, the route appears to have been modified to take flights, particularly departures, right over the village.

At certain times of the day, every couple of minutes or so, planes are clearly visible right overhead and while the noise is not unbearable, it is certainly intrusive and something we did not have to put up with at one time.

An enquiry to the Airfield Enviroment Office brought a promise of a referral to the Luton Airport Consultative Committee with a report in due course if any aircraft were found to be deviating from approved takeoff procedure.

BRIAN MULLIGAN

Long Fallow

St Albans

SIR - In response to your correspondent (Herts Advertiser, July 9) about the recent, and at times seemingly endless, procession of planes overhead from Luton, firstly Luton is now operating at twice the level proposed in the 1998 planning consent and unfortunately there is little we can do abut it. Secondly, for meteorological reasons, easterly winds are relatively common in spring/early summer just when people are enjoying their gardens after the winter and having windows open at night (and, yes, it is a 24-hour facility). Under such conditions, Harpenden is heavily overflown by low ex-Luton westbound planes, held down by higher northbound ex-Heathrow flights; indeed published radar tracks show Harpenden, Gustard Wood, etc., virtually obliterated.

All one can do, and it is crucial, is to ensure Luton's management is aware of the disturbance they cause by ringing 01582 395382 (be patient, a long-winded menu!), by writing to the environment officer at LLAOL, Navigation House, Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LY (fax 01582 395500) or email to noise@ltn.aero and perhaps copying to the National Air Traffic Services, 4000 Parkway, Whiteley, PO15 7FL. More information is on our website www.ladacan.org

JOHN DAVIS

Fairmead Avenue

Harpenden

SIR - I agree with Sally Piercy concerning plane noise (Herts Advertiser, July 9), which on some days seems almost continuous. Night flights also now seem more of a problem. I have been told that Luton has more of these than Heathrow. There is a complaints line on 395382 which is automated and very easy to use. I understand that the complaint statistics are seen by our local councillors, so this is a way for people to register their displeasure.

MARTIN JAMES

Derwent Road

Harpenden

SIR - We are told the British Army is desperately short of helicopters for undertaking troop movements in Afghanistan. I have the solution.

Wartime emergency measures should be enacted by the Government, enabling civilian helicopters used in the UK for non-essential operations carrying say six or more passengers to be requisitioned for military duties.

They could start by commandeering those used for ferrying those business executives between Luton Airport and London who are too impatient to use the M1 or the train, resulting in such disturbance and aggravation as they fly low over the homes of Herts Advertiser readers in Harpenden.

ALAN BUNTING

Ridgewood Drive

Harpenden