Richmond residents have found overwhelmingly positive benefits since the reduction of Heathrow flights during lockdown, says a survey by the No 3rd Runway Coalition.

According to the campaigners, the survey was conducted across London, and to the south of the city, to examine the impact of reduced aviation activity on communities living under the airport’s flight path.

Across Richmond and Twickenham, 96 per cent found the experience of fewer flights to be positive, with 75 per cent stating their sleep patterns had improved.

Other reported benefits included cleaner air quality, greater use of gardens, and more enjoyment of green spaces, including Richmond and Bushy Parks.

Richmond and Twickenham residents -- who account for 763 of the 3,419 people surveyed -- follow a wider trend.

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Speaking exclusively to the Richmond & Twickenham Times, Paul McGuinness, Chair of the No 3rd Runway Coalition said:

“As a local resident, I’m not surprised by these results. The people of Richmond & Twickenham have shared the experience of many other communities under the flight path, and their responses present a picture of just what will be lost, in quality of life terms, when flights resume at Heathrow.”

“Statistically, Heathrow has long been the world’s most disruptive airport, as a direct consequence of its location, at the heart of the UK’s most densely packed residential community. Flights should be reduced at airports sitting amongst concentrated residential areas, and certainly not increased.”

Residents under the flight path have expressed fear of normal service resuming at Heathrow.

Professor Stephen Stansfeld, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Queen Mary University of London, said:

“As a society this should make us stop in our tracks and consider whether we shouldn't cut down on air travel in the future. This 'natural experiment' has made us realise the true cost of air travel to the population living around airports."

The full results of the survey have been published on the No 3rd Runway Coalition’s website (www.no3rdrunwaycoalition.co.uk).