Call to end Heathrow night flights

12/04/13

By Mark Stillman

Residents living near Heathrow Airport could soon be getting a better night's sleep, if the London Assembly gets its way.

The capital's elected body is calling for night flights to be reduced or scrapped altogether.

Its health and environment committee's appeal today came in response to a Government consultation on night flights.

The committee said if these flights cannot be halted, then at least a switch to more planes arriving overnight approaching from the west of London - weather permitting - would be some insurance against continued sleepless nights.

This would reduce the number flying over central London at night.

More than 70 per cent come from the east now because of the more favourable wind direction.

The plan would reduce noise disruption for about 110,000 people although it would raise it for 15,600 living to the west of London in parts of Windsor, Datchet and Stanwell Moor.

The London Assembly  committee also says that the Government should aim to substantially reduce the overall noise 'footprint' from Heathrow night flights, including the area where noise levels exceed 40 decibels.

This suggestion comes in the wake of health concerns expressed by the World Health Organisation.

Murad Qureshi , chair of the health and environment committee, said the Assembly wants Heathrow night flights stopped because it is "unacceptable" that thousands of Londoners are unable to get a good night's sleep because of planes flying overhead.

The committee, in response to the Government, states it is opposed to any removal of the current voluntary curfew around night flights and supports a mandatory respite period.

It also proposes investigating whether reducing scheduled daytime airport activity would create the necessary flexibility to avoid extra night flights due to delays and backlogs.

New drivers may face curfew night

Student drivers will allow you to use motorways and give classes in inclement weather to reduce the safety hazards under the proposals. Photograph: Alamy

Newly qualified drivers could face restrictions in their night driving and the number of passengers allowed in their cars, under the proposals examined by the Ministers.

But students could also be allowed to drive on motorways and given classes during bad weather and in the dark to help them reduce risk, once they pass their tests.

The Government hopes to reduce the number of accidents involving drivers young and rising insurance costs. It is expected that a green paper proposed firm within two months.

Among other proposals, is considered a minimum of learning until the candidates are allowed to pass your test, increasing the trial period of two to three years for new drivers licenses to be revoked if they receive six or more penalty points, making driving more rigorous testing and incentives for young drivers to take additional training after passing your test.

The Secretary of transportation, Patrick McLoughlin, said: "It is alarming that one-fifth of people, dead or injured on our roads in 2011 were involved in a collision where at least one driver aged 17-24."Improve the safety of our young drivers is therefore a real priority and not only reduce the victims but also it should mean a reduction in insurance premiums the soaring pay.

"I have been clear that I want to see insurance premiums reflecting conditions, performance and risks along the way. "I already did all that a Government address concerns around safe engine but even more it should be until young drivers feel satisfied that obtained value for money."

The Association of British insurers (ABI) has asked for a period of minimum one year learning to young drivers, restrictions on the number of young passengers and restrictions on travel at night for young drivers during a period after passing the examination, but with exceptions for those driving to and from work.

It also says that a zero limit must be driving the blood alcohol during an initial period when a young man passes his driving test. The ABI suggests that measures could lead to a 15-20% drop in premiums for young drivers.

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Good Night Bugs

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AppId is over the quota

April 6, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. RR–2
Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
CE Available

This report provides recommendations for good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing and newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders. The recommended practices address the benefits of using a quality management system approach, factors to consider before introducing new tests, establishment and verification of test performance specifications, the total laboratory testing process, confidentiality of patient information and test results, and personnel qualifications and responsibilities for laboratory testing for inherited metabolic diseases. These recommendations are intended for laboratories that perform biochemical genetic testing to improve the quality of laboratory services and for newborn screening laboratories to ensure the quality of laboratory practices for inherited metabolic disorders. These recommendations also are intended as a resource for medical and public health professionals who evaluate laboratory practices, for users of laboratory services to facilitate their collaboration with newborn screening systems and use of biochemical genetic tests, and for standard-setting organizations and professional societies in developing future laboratory quality standards and practice recommendations.

View the original article here