Twenty weeks of night-time runway work begun at Stansted Airport on Monday, to reduce taxiing distances and ground noise.

The work includes constructing a rapid exit taxi way and another runway crossing, and will reduce the distances which some aircraft have to travel.

Taxiing is a contributory factor to ground noise and it is hoped that the work will help to minimise this, particularly at night.

Rona Young, media relations officer at the airport, said that the work would benefit both the airport and residents.

"Hopefully, it will be a case of the best of both worlds," she said. "Obviously, noise is a major factor.

"This work will mean that an aeroplane will have less distance to travel, meaning that the engines can be shut down quicker, resulting in less noise.

"It also means that, because they have less distance to go, people on the aircraft can get off quicker."

Because of the kind of work which is being carried out, it has to be done at night so that it does not disrupt the operation of the airport.

The instrument landing system will be suspended during the work, because the runway lengths will be shortened, and air traffic control will talk the pilots down.

National Air Traffic Services will ensure that all aircraft continue to make a continuous descent approach from 3,000 feet.

There will be no effect on the airport's other night-time restrictions, including aircraft quota and movement limit, which bans the noisiest aircraft from operating from 11.30pm to 7am, and the rule which keeps departing aircraft on the noise preferential routes to 4,000 feet.

Stansted managing director John Stent said: "I apologise for any disturbance this work may cause, but I am delighted that we can continue to operate the night-time arrival procedure for the benefit of the local community."

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