57 Decibels

Zone 2 24.4.09 11.12pm

Zone 6 8.5.09 9.42pm

Zone 6 8.5.09 9.33pm

Zone 2 24.4.09 10.57pm

Zone 6 8.5.09 8.57pm

Zone 6 8.5.09 9.33pm

Thursday the 15th of January 2009 marked the government’s approval of a proposed plan for a third runway at Heathrow. Causing outcry among residents, environmental campaigners and politicians with protests and campaigns being kicked started. The current proposal to build a third Runway and 6^thTerminal will result in an additional 900 flights over London each day (almost a 70% increase) and dramatic rises in light, noise and aviation pollution. The Runway itself would be 2500m in length and in its path engulf 700 residential homes removing the village Sipson from the map. High levels of both noise and light pollution affect the residents living is proximity to Heathrow.57 decibels (described as the loudness of a ringing alarm clock, is designated as a ‘community annoyance’) – is the maximum noise level recommended the by the World Health Organisation, many of the areas surrounding are exposed to over levels of 72 decibels.

The third runway planned at Heathrow incorporates many current social issues: climate change, economic situation (debt, growth, recession, industry and the current ‘political’ landscape (both Conservative and Liberal Democrats have pledged for the plan to be “scrapped” if the next general election is won by either party).The photographs where made on the proposed land for the construction and also in central London, following a flight path that runs this route.Like the pollution from this aviation activity pollutes the atmosphere, light pollutes the film when photographing.