Kier has been appointed to deliver the Quieter Neighbour Support Scheme at Heathrow Airport to reduce the impact of noise pollution on local communities.
Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) appointed Kier to the major works programme, which is set to take place over the next eight years, and aims to improve the wellbeing of surrounding communities.
The Quieter Neighbour Support Scheme (QNS), delivered by Kier Places, will include the Residential Insulation Scheme (RIS), a 100 per cent funded scheme for homeowners to better protect homes with noise insulation measures.
The RIS scheme will cover around 20,000 homes in the local area in a phased approach and includes supply and installation of replacement windows, secondary glazing and doors, new ventilation, loft insulation, and upgrading of ceilings.
Kier place will also deliver:
- A Quieter Schools Programme – to improve noise insulation and ventilation for local schools.
- A Vortex Impact and Prevention Scheme – repairs for vortex strikes and the provision of proactive protection for homes in high impact areas.
- programme of social value in the local area, focusing on environmental, social and economic impact.
Noise pollution at Heathrow
In June this year, British Airways boss Willie Walsh told The Times that Heathrow’s plans to build a third runway as part of its expansion efforts was unlikely to ever get off the ground, in part over “the issue of noise flying over central London.”
According to the Guardian, Heathrow is planning to revive the blueprint for a third runway, hoping for the Labour government’s approval, in order to meet capacity pressures currently faced at the airport.
The proposal for the third runway planned to provide up to 740,000 flights a year.
In November 2023, the London Assembly called on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), to reject Heathrow Airport’s Stage 2 Plan as part of its Airspace Modernisations plans, which would see planes flying 1,500 to 2,000 feet above the Richmond park.
They argued that the impact of 60,000 aircraft flying above Richmond Park would “have on the area’s tranquillity and biodiversity is substantial due to the expected significant increases of noise and air pollution”.
According to TFL, Heathrow exposes more than 750,000 people to significant aircraft noise as of 2017, with studies showing adverse impacts on public health.
In June 2023, Heathrow Airport published its Noise Action Plan 2024-2028 to tackle and address the issue of aircraft noise for those living around the airport, however, the plan “does not cover any expansion or a third runway at Heathrow.”
Heathrow expansion
Last year, Mace was picked as the delivery partner for three lots on Heathrow’s H7 Framework, meanwhile Costain was awarded a design phase contract as part of a £1.3 billion upgrade of Terminal 2.
This comes under a wider £3.6 billion capital investment programme by Heathrow for the airport over the next five years, to improve customer experience, meet its net-zero objective, and in response to the commercial impact of the pandemic.
Voices from the industry
Jamie McKechnie, managing director of Kier Places said: “The Quieter Neighbourhood Support Scheme is a huge opportunity to improve the wellbeing of residents and wider communities local to Heathrow and we’re delighted Kier Places has been appointed as the delivery partner.
“The scale of this project has required a genuinely collaborative approach between Heathrow, Kier Places and a number of other key stakeholders – and that can only benefit the delivery. We’re now looking forward to seeing first-hand the positive impact the QNS will have on the local communities surrounding Heathrow.”
James Holmes, Heathrow’s head of local strategic engagement: “We want this to be a great place to live and work and we are pleased to renew and enhance the support we offer our local communities.
In partnership with Kier, and after feedback from our neighbours, we are refreshing the help available, including fully funded noise insulation for those most affected by aircraft noise.”
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