MPs have once again raised the issue of noise pollution from aircraft flying over Dwyfor and Arfon.

The issue of aircraft flying over Snowdonia has been raised again in Westminster.

MP Hywel Williams said he wanted to know why the Ministry of Defence bought training aircraft for use at RAF Valley without the safety equipment required to permit full operational use over water, and why retrofitting these Texan aircraft has still not been carried out over a year later.

These aircraft, known for their noise, cannot operate completely safely over water due to safety issues with the on-board life raft, harness, and life jacket. This means flights are confined over more populated areas of Arfon and Dwyfor.

Having first raised the issue with the MoD and RAF Valley over a year ago, Mr Williams was assured steps were being taken to redress the problem, but over a year later, the aircraft has still not been fitted with the safety equipment.

Complaints from constituents have increased since the beginning of lockdown, with more people working from home.

Mr Williams’ comments have been echoed by MP Liz Saville Roberts, who has also taken up the issue.

Hywel Williams MP said: "It is now well over a year since we raised this matter with the Ministry of Defence and senior personnel at RAF Valley. Back then assurances were given, and repeated, that modifications were being made to resolve this safety oversight.

“The RAF need to train their pilots of course. But it is high time for them to act and give proper attention to the impact on local people and the future visitor economy in Snowdonia, already struggling due to the pandemic.

“The Ministry of Defence concedes that these aircraft are currently unable to fully operate over water. This prompts the obvious question, why on earth did they buy them like this in the first place, especially given that their main base is on an island, that is, surrounded by water!

“This raises a wider question of procurement policy at the MoD. Have we paid in full for aircraft which cannot fly over the sea? What consideration, if any, was given to the specification of these aircraft, given the surroundings in which they are expected to operate?

“This procurement issue has now developed from a temporary operational restriction to what feels like a permanent fixture in the skies above Gwynedd, much to the understandable frustration of those living and working under the flight path of the Texan.’

"Complaints have soared since lockdown, due in part to more people working from home, and coming from all parts of the Arfon constituency and beyond.

“If and when the MoD gets round to fixing this problem, will that be the end of the matter? Or will the peace and quiet associated with this part of North West Wales, something so appreciated by our visitors, be forever subjected to the noisy racket caused by these aircraft?”

Liz Saville Roberts MP added: “When I met with the RAF in Westminster over a year ago, I was assured that steps were being taken to retrofit the Texan aircraft with the necessary equipment to permit over-sea flying, thus lessening the noise impact on populated areas.

“Despite raising the issue repeatedly over the last year, there has been no progress, and my constituents remain frustrated that the MoD have not made good on their promise.

“Whilst I acknowledge that flying the Texan aircraft is considered an integral aspect of the RAF’s training programme, they should at the very least do all they can to mitigate the impact on residents, not to mention ensuring their own aircraft are suitably equipped for operational needs.”