Heathrow noise 'worse than ever'

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The study found the noise affects millions of people and households living under busy flightpaths were willing to pay for a quieter life. It states that noise levels have worsened since the previous study was done in 1985.

The Department for Transport, which commissioned the report, issued a statement objecting to the main findings and questioning its methodology.

The report, Attitudes to Noise from Aviation Sources in England, found 60 per cent of people were "at least very annoyed" by aircraft noise when it was greater than 57 decibels.

It said the sharp increase in the number of flights over the past 20 years had "increased quite remarkably" the annoyance suffered by residents and people were willing to pay £700 a year to eradicate aircraft noise.

Night flights were the main source of anger, with 80 per cent of respondents particularly annoyed by those between 11pm and 3am. Campaigners said the findings were an "inconvenient truth" for the Government as it sought to press ahead with expansion at Heathrow.

John Stewart of the anti-Heathrow expansion group Hacan ClearSkies said: "For over 10 years people in areas more than 15 miles from the airport have been complaining about aircraft noise. This study shows they have not been imagining it." He said the Government "needs to face up to the stark reality that millions of people's lives are being blighted by aircraft noise".

But aviation minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the report neither "undermines nor underpins" the case for a third Heathrow runway and more flights.

He said: "This report gives us a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding aircraft noise but not the robust figures on which it would be safe to change policy.

"The Government accepts that noise from aircraft is a growing concern and will take into account those people affected when considering the costs and benefits of future projects."

The DfT said the report was "not sufficiently robust" for policy making and officials even said people had "subconsciously" given the wrong answers when asked about aircraft noise.

Putney Tory MP Justine Greening said: "This report is being rubbished by the very department that commissioned it because it came up with wrong conclusion."