Stop Stansted Expansion Group turns to pedal power

PEDAL POWER ruled the day at the family-oriented Flitch Way Cycle Ride organised by Stop Stansted Expansion.

The nine-mile ride along the former railway line culminated in a barbecue at Station House in Takeley, which the parish council had kindly made available for the event, with some 40 people taking part.

The Flitch Way runs between Dunmow and Bishop’s Stortford, forming the northern boundary of Hatfield Forest, running directly through countryside with wooded areas, rich wildlife and views over open farmland.

It typifies the peace and tranquillity of the area, although overflying aircraft towards the Stortford end are a reminder that despite cancellation of the second runway, current operations at the airport still threaten to blight the community.

Commenting on the success of the event on August 19, SSE Campaign Director Carol Barbone said: “It was a lovely, gentle event which served as a reminder of the importance of the rural character of the district – and the need to allow the community to be rebuilt after the threat of major expansion.”

The next public event in the SSE calendar is the annual Runway Ramble on Sunday September 26 which this year takes the form of the Hallingbury Hike.

The four mile circular walk is part of the campaign group’s work to raise awareness of the blight which persists locally because of BAA’s refusal to sell its extensive property holding – more than 200 homes – and thereby send a signal that its expansion plans are off the agenda once and for all.

A further concern is BAA’s hope – currently unfulfilled – of using Stansted more intensively which would add to the noise burden of those under flight paths across the region.

Have flights got noisier over the last 10 years or are modern quieter aircraft causing less disruption to daily life then ever before?

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