This seems illogical. Urban areas have a higher level of ground generated background noise which masks the noise of overhead aircraft.
People living in rural areas, with a lower level of background noise, will suffer disproportionately more disturbance. 

The 'masking effect' of noise is a well known psycho-acoustic property used in open plan offices, public buildings et cetera to prevent unwanted noise from being carried too far. In short, the impact to humans of aircraft overhead will be less in an urban area than in a rural area.

In general, the plans seem to have been drawn up to suit NATS and the aviation industry, with disregard or possibly a misunderstanding of the noise blight that the changes would bring to those on the ground in rural areas, compared to the minimal impact within larger centres of population.

It would be interesting to know if people under the current stacks in urban areas even notice the aircraft noise above the background noise. 
One could argue this from the other perspective and ask the question, how many people on the ground will notice any benefit from the changes, as opposed to the number who will suffer increased noise?

Richard Neil
Lower Cambourne

Colts thanks
>> RAMSEY Colts FC committee and members would like to extend their thanks to the kind person who has helped restore their faith in human nature and in the community.
Following the letter published in the the Town Crier (March 6) a cheque has been received by the club from an unknown lady.

Her generosity was very much appreciated and will cover the cost of replenishing the stock that was taken.
We have also been able to purchase some containers to store the stock so it can be removed after the games have taken place.

It has caused more work but at least if the sad mindless thieves want to try again they may find their efforts fruitless!
Again a big thank you to a kind lady who has shone some light back into the children at the club and their tummies!

Ramsey Colts FC
Committee


Pleased for independents
>> I WOULD like to congratulate all the people who have decided to stand as independent candidates at the forthcoming St Ives Town Council elections.

They will, I am certain, provide a breath of fresh air and an opportunity for the St Ives electorate to have a real choice this time, instead of the wearisome preponderance of the 'one party state' which has prevailed for too long in our town.

The Corn Exchange issue revealed the inadequacies of this present council.
We have witnessed first hand their inertia, lack of foresight and blatant arrogance towards the public.
So, Ted Bockin (Town Crier, Your View March 13), here is my 'cheap' letter of criticism. Wholly justified I think.

Marilyn Zanconato
St Ives

Easter poem
>> I'm cross about the cross
even though my salvation came from it.
I'm really cross about the cross
and the unspeakable agony it portrays.
I guess what makes me cross about the cross is that I know, by my selfish
and thoughtless actions
I nail you back on it every day.

And I wear a cross around my neck,
a noose of love to remind me
that I must always be
cross about the cross
otherwise I wouldn't care
and you would still be hanging there
nailed by my indifference
in perpetual purgatory.
I'm glad I'm cross about the cross
because the evil of it needs
my anger to power me
with grateful acknowledgement,
to share its salvation.

Irena Milloy
Perry Road
Buckden

Climate change
>> SURELY climate change cannot be stopped without less pollution and this means (among other actions) encouraging more people to use buses and rail rather than their cars.
We also need more wind turbines.

Many environmental groups including Friends of the Earth and the RSPB support greater cuts in pollution – up to 80 per cent by 2050 in the new Climate Change Bill rather than the 60 per cent preferred by the Government.
Deeper cuts make more sense. If you had a gas leak in your home you wouldn't want this just to be halved, you'd rather the threat was eliminated.

Hopefully after the disasters at New Orleans and Tewkesbury we are all more prepared for action which would remove the threat to our long term prosperity.
So please write to your MP and the Prime Minister to support deeper cuts in man-made gases causing climate change.
This too is one of the main campaigns for world poverty groups like Christian Aid, Oxfam and the World Development Movement as climate change is already hurting many poorer countries, yet the pollution comes from richer nations.

If anyone would like more information about the Climate Change Bill, they can write to me at the address below.

Brian Smith
Elm Close
Huntingdon
PE29 7AR

Cllr Farrer
>> IN a letter in last week's (March 13) "Your View" from Cllr Bob Farrer, district councillor for Eaton Ford and county councillor for Eaton Socon and Eynesbury, we missed out the word 'not' from the following sentence:
"I have always said that local issues should NOT be political and town councillors should be independent of politics."
We apologise for the omission and any confusion caused.