A THUNDEROUS roar descends over a community in the flightpath of Scotland's biggest airport. Just minutes apart, jet after jet soar overhead as they make their final descent into Glasgow Airport over Clydebank.
Yesterday, campaigners against airport expansion in the UK and, in particular, potential increased traffic at Glasgow, put the West Dunbartonshire community at the heart of the issue.
Action group Plane Stupid launched their Adopt A Resident scheme as hundreds of people gathered at a community event, part-sponsored by the British Airports Authority, in the town's Whitecrook area.
Campaigners dressed as cabin crew and, although not able to get an information stall set up inside the venue, they made their voices heard outside.
Glasgow Airport currently handles 8.7 million passengers a year, but operators BAA believes the numbers could rocket to 24 million by 2030.
Dan Glass, Plane Stupid West Scotland community organiser, said: "We had hoped to set up an information stall within the event to offer help to residents. We were told we were not able to take up a stall.
"We believe BAA put in around £3000 of sponsorship for the event and despite the setback we have still got our message across to residents that we can fight airport expansion, which has become the front line in the fight against climate change in Scotland."
A spokeswoman for BAA said they were involved with trust funds specific to areas underneath the flightpath and a donation was made to the Whitecrook Tenants and Residents Association.
She said: "A donation was given to the gala day and we are not involved with who may or may not be invited.
"No one has approached us as to why Plane Stupid were not there."
Plane Stupid signed up members of the community to the Adopt A Resident Scheme to help them run their own campaigns. Dan said: "We can offer them support to drive their issues forward. Clydebank is being highlighted as an area emblematic to other communities affected by the growing aviation industry across Scotland.
"With disproportionate economic deprivation and dangerous levels of air pollution, the residents are a key example of poorer communities having to bear the brunt of growing carbon-intensive industries and live at the forefront of the impact of climate change.
"Residents lives are already affected by the flights overhead and it is estimated passenger figures could increase by a third to 12 million in 2020."
The Adopt A Resident scheme is central to Plane Stupid's plan to pressure BAA over noise, health, climate change and compensation. Residents will be adopted by affinity groups from as far away as Inverness and Aberdeen and veteran environmental and social justice activists will be contribute.
The idea is for activists and residents under threat from airport expansion to work together. The activists will learn about the community and the residents will learn about direct action.
Dan added: "The scheme also sends out signals right now to BAA and the Scottish Government that activists and the local community are working together - and that really worries them."
One of the first residents to sign up to the scheme, David Doherty, said: "I am glad Plane Stupid are planning to support residents in Clydebank who wish to participate in a nationwide support network for those who will be most affected by proposed airport expansion."
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