Senior executives from Edinburgh airport are expected to attend a public meeting in Inverkeithing on Friday to discuss a controversial new flight path plan.
Edinburgh Airport launched a four-week public consultation in late May for a revised route mainly affecting Dalgety Bay, Inverkeithing, North Queensferry, and other surrounding coastal areas as part of its Airspace Change Programme.
The airport recently sent letters, consultation documents and information to 12,000 homes asking for feedback on the new E7A proposal which would guide all departing aircraft toward the west of Cramond and along the Firth of Forth.
The changes were made following feedback from communities and industry regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, after the airport’s initial application was paused.
Labour politician Lesley Laird, who asked for the consultation to be extended by a week, will also be chairing the meeting at 6.30pm in Inverkeithing High School.
There will also be a drop in session from 2pm to 7pm on Thursday June 14 in Inverkeithing Civic Centre about the proposal.
The Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP said: “Given the level of concern expressed in local communities, I went back to Edinburgh Airport and said a drop-in session was not enough to satisfy a consultation remit.
“I’m glad they took on board my request to hold a public meeting and also agreed to extend the consultation by another week.
“I urge residents to attend the meeting and take the opportunity to raise concerns and hear Edinburgh Airport’s response before this consultation ends.”
Gordon Robertson, the director of communications at Edinburgh Airport, said: “This ACP process is quite complex but key to it is working with and listening to our local communities which is why we are holding this public meeting.
“Constructive and positive dialogue and the opportunity to allay concerns and explain our thinking will help us shape our revised proposal to the CAA so we encourage anyone in North Queensferry, Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay to come along and find out more.”
He said the airport wanted to gather as much feedback as possible so it had extended the consultation deadline by a week to give people more time to consider the information given to them at these meetings.
“We hope that by being better informed about the E7A variant people will be able to contribute to our revised proposal,” he added.
Information is available at http://www.letsgofurther.com/ and comments must be submitted by June 28.
