THOUSANDS of passengers flying from Glasgow Airport should be made to pay £1 each in compensation to long-suffering residents living in the flight path.
THOUSANDS of passengers flying from Glasgow Airport should be made to pay £1 each in compensation to long-suffering residents living in the flight path.
That was the claim made last night as people in Clydebank vowed to seek compensation for what they called their "daily nightmare".
They want a share of BAA profits - possibly coupled with the £1-per-passenger flyover charge - to be put into a community fund.
If successful, it could result in upwards of £20,000 a month being poured into the pot.
A 160-strong meeting of Clydebank East Community Council heard one resident say he was being forced to move out of his home because of the aircraft noise.
One woman said BAA should install a monitor in her garden because when she holds barbecues "every two minutes we have to stop talking when a plane flies overhead".
Residents in parts of Clydebank, including Whitecrook and Linnvale, have long complained about the noise caused by aircraft coming in to land at Glasgow Airport.
BAA Glasgow, however, insists its noise-managing measures exceed statutory obligations.
Tom Brady, treasurer of Clydebank East Community Council, said: "BAA continues to say it is trying to do something to alleviate the noise.
"Because they can't do anything about it, and the level of traffic, we are seeking compensation.
"Whether it comes directly from BAA's profits, or from a mix of some of the profits and a £1-per-passenger flyover charge, we want money to go into a trust. That is our goal.
West of Scotland MSP Gil Paterson, who carried out a detailed noise survey, told the meeting he was pressing for regulation of Scotland's airports to bring them into line with England's.
He also wants four local authorities - Glasgow, Renfrew, and East and West Dunbartonshire - to jointly buy a golden share' in any new business that bought Glasgow Airport, giving the public a voice on issues.
Gary Donaghy, of Linnvale, said: "I've complained to BAA about the noise levels for 18 years but it's ignored me. We're fighting a losing battle.
"We are going to sell up but the property value has dropped since the airport announced its expansion plan.
"I don't even know where I want to move to, but I need to move away.
"You're trapped in your house because you can't open a window."
Lily Black, 35, said her 14-year-old son, Jamie, who is partially deaf, was at risk when crossing roads while out playing as aircraft noise drowned out the sound of traffic.
He also had "terror nightmares" because of planes flying overhead.
BAA Glasgow says the Civil Aviation Authority found that, despite a rise in passengers, noise from planes operating from the airport "is less than at any time in 20 years".
He added: "However, we're committed to taking further action to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on our neighbouring communities."
