Life at the foot of Bathurst has become very noisy of late and I have noticed a big difference in air quality. Our apartment faces south on the 6th floor at 680 Queens Quay West, directly across from Little Norway Park. We have lived here for 20 years. In the middle of May, I decided to keep a log of disturbing sounds coming from the airport. Although this has become an "all day-every-day" problem, these are just the ones that really got to me and only while I was at this computer over a 3 week period.

 

THREE WEEKS WITH THE T.C.C.A.

 

Saturday, May 17
6:53am: Loud engine warm-up
Sunday, May 18
5:15am: loud helicopter engine
Monday, May 19
6:54am: aircraft engine warm up
Thursday, May 22
12:30am: many ‘beeping’ trucks and ferry ramp noises
11:44pm: many ‘beeping’ trucks and ferry ramp noises
Friday, May 23
6:44am: ferry ramp noise
6:57am: loud aircraft noise
Friday, May 30
5:25am: loud helicopter engine
Sunday, June 1
5:53am: loud helicopter engine
5:55am: ferry ramp noise
6:07am: loud helicopter engine
Saturday, June 7
3:06pm to 3:12pm: extremely loud idling of a Porter aircraft engine
3:18pm: Porter aircraft engine - loud
Sunday, June 8
5:37am: loud helicopter engine
9:37am to 9:42am: extremely loud idling of a Porter aircraft engine

 

I have noticed that lately, within the past few weeks, many take-offs and landings have seemed much louder than in the past. I wonder if this is because of the use of the north runway (the one closest to the terminal) or a change in procedures or just my nerves wearing thin. I noted that Saturday, June 7th seemed particularly busy and noisy. Listening to the radio, concentrating on work or having a conversation at normal levels is impossible with our windows open, especially when aircraft are near the terminal. Landings regularily come with a very loud blast of sound presumably when the engines are reversed. It really is bad down here. You should come and have a listen for yourself.

 

I try to be a good neighbour and respect the people that live around me and the general activities of urban living, even when the occasional tour boat sails through the Western Gap with music pumping from loudspeakers. However, the near-constant noise (and that's what it is - noise) from the airport has has stretched my tolerance to the limit. This is a RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD with parks, a school, a community centre, playgrounds and a growing recreational waterfront for the enjoyment of all Torontonians and visitors to our city. I hear a lot of big talk about a clean, green waterfront and it seems that a great deal of time, talent and money is being invested to get there. Why is there a busy commercial airport here? It simply doesn't make sense! Bad fit. We're shooting ourselves in the foot. Am I crazy?

 

All I can do is complain in hopes that a little reason and common sense will be heard. One small voice in the wilderness? Children play in the parks - what are they breathing? Musicians play in the Music Garden - what are they hearing? Visitors come to the waterfront to relax, shop and enjoy themselves. It's embarrassing for Toronto. Think about it, take a risk and do the right thing. Leadership. This problem is not going away and should not be ignored.

 

James M Plaxton - designer.