Protest over change in air routes

Villagers say they will have to put up with more flights and more noise

A protest has been held in a village over plans to change aircraft routes in and out of Luton airport.

Villagers living in Caddington and Slip End in Bedfordshire say they will have to put up with more flights and noise.

The residents, who protested in Caddington on Saturday, say they will have aircraft flying over their homes every four minutes.

The National Air Traffic Service says the changes will benefit people across the region.

Margaret Moran, MP for South Luton, has been campaigning against the plans.

We want to show that Luton and the surrounding areas is a good place to live Margaret Moran MP for South Luton

She said: "We've got the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire MPs affected by this on board, Luton council is against it and I believe Luton airport will shortly come out against it.

"We want to show that Luton and the surrounding areas is a good place to live - and that all the investment is worthwhile - but unless we get rid of this plan all that will be blighted."

The National Air Traffic Service says redrawing the map will allow aircraft to avoid as many towns and villages as possible and that it will reduce by almost a fifth the number of people living under the departure flight path at Luton.

Once the consultation period closes, the Civil Aviation Authority will then decide whether the changes can go ahead.