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Aviation bosses are conducting an online survey to find out how St Albans and Harpenden residents are affected by noise pollution from Luton Airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is looking to hear from people living under or near to flight paths to decide how to improve the situation.

Residents will be asked what issues they think the CAA should prioritise, how long they have been impacted by aircraft noise and which organisations they expect to act to reduce the noise.

A CAA statement on the consultation website said: “Answering these questions will help us to understand which areas people who are affected by aviation noise would like us to focus on, and therefore help to define our work programme.

“However we will not always be able to act, and at the moment we are looking at how we use our existing powers to improve noise.”

The CAA is also working to ensure their decision-making process on changes to airspace includes evidence about noise and engagement with those impacted by it. If the CAA believes that they need more powers to improve noise performance, they will explain when they publish a response.

Andrew Lambourne, of campaign group LADACAN (Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise) said: “The survey from the CAA is an important opportunity for local people to explain their concerns about Luton Airport.

“Aircraft noise is blighting our communities, there are no restrictions on the number of night flights from the airport and the amount and intensity of aircraft noise is harming the quality of life that we value.

“The other key concern is the close relationship between the airport and Luton borough council, which many people believe is a conflict of interest. Luton borough council’s planning team is responsible for approving planning applications which facilitate growth at the airport, as well as agreeing noise restrictions.

“We would urge people to respond to this short survey and express their frustrations to the CAA as strongly as possible.”

The survey will close on January 5, 2018.

It is available at https://consultations.caa.co.uk/policy-development/aviation-noise-impacts/