'Chopper Congestion Charge Could Cut Noise'

And during the week of the Farnborough airshow in July, more than 300 helcopters used Battersea heliport in south London - nearly 90 flights a day - sparking 40 complaints alone.

Helicopters should have to pay to use London's air space like aeroplanes, the report suggests. It also calls for restrictions on choppers used to carry advertising banners.

Launching the report today, London Assembly environment committee chairman Darren Johnson, said: "Londoners already have to contend with endless noise from planes damaging their quality of life and now helicopters are adding to the misery.

"The Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) need to take action now to reduce noise pollution from helicopters, or the situation will become unbearable for many people."

The number of helicopter take-offs and landings at Battersea, London's only commercial heliport, jumped from just over 11,000 in 2004 to an estimated 13,000 this year, but there are no records of the number of helicopters flying over but not landing.

The committee wants ministers to change the CAA's remit to include the environmental impact of helicopters as well as looking at safety.

Mr Johnson added: "We also think helicopters should contribute to air traffic control services. At the moment they don't pay anything, which we don't think is right.

"We have a congestion charge for cars, so why not a congestion charge for helicopters? Hopefully it will help control the growth in numbers."

The committee took evidence from 150 angry Londoners disturbed by choppers.

One was Jeffrey Aubrey, who lives just 500 yards from Battersea heliport in south London.

He said: "When helicopters fly overhead you can't hold a conversation, you can't talk on the telephone or listen to television or music. And for elderly or sick people the situation is worse.

"I'm horrified to see that the number of helicopters is forecast to rise. Something has to be done."

However, he added: "I was disappointed to see there was nothing in the report on re-siting the heliport.

Battersea is a residential area, so somewhere like Docklands would be better - not just for business, but for the Olympics."

Among other complaints quoted in the report, one Battersea resident said: "The noise from helicopters is so bad that our living room windows, which face the river, actually shake and rattle."

A resident of Fulham said: "It is literally impossible to listen to the TV, even at full volume, unless all doors and windows are closed which in summertime is unbearable.

"It is only when you live here day in day out that you realise how damaging the heliport noise is to one's enjoyment of living here."

Other recommendations of the committee include a clearer complaints procedure and financial incentives to encourage owners to replace old helicopters with newer, quieter models.

However, not everyone was happy with the idea of a congestion charge, one Londoner at today's meeting told Mr Johnson: "I'm worried it will be a money spinner and will encourage you to increase helicopter usage.