The number of those seriously affected by noise from aircraft will double in the next 30 years if the government predictions of a near tripling of air traffic are fulfilled, according to a new study.

Around 600,000 people will find aircraft noise unacceptable or be "very much bothered by it" according to the study by transport consultants for the Council for the Protection of Rural Britain.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport told ePolitix.com: "The Department for Transport welcomes the report from the CPRE. Ministers will consider it very carefully before making an announcement later this year."

Forum Response: Virgin Atlantic

A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic told ePolitix.com: "Virgin Atlantic recognises that airlines must do their utmost to be good neighbours and to be as environmentally friendly as possible. The industry has already made impressive strides in improving environmental performance.

"Advances in engine technology mean that the impact of aircraft noise has been substantially reduced.

"Virgin Atlantic is committed to continue its investment in the latest aeronautical technology in order to mitigate any potential environmental impact resulting from changes to flight paths and holding patterns."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "The Alliance continues to urge its members to make its views on airport expansion known to government. What we cannot afford to do now is to sit back and watch development take place without being involved in the decision making.

"We realise that expansion is inevitable in modern life and that the South East will bear the brunt of development - that is a fact of life. But the rural community has a good opportunity to have a say on the noise issue and we urge them not to be silent."

Forum Response: Woodland Trust

Dr James Cooper, spokesman for the Woodland Trust, told ePolitix.com: "The CPRE study provides further evidence which will reinforce the increasingly widespread view that the government must think again about the issue of airport expansion and its impact upon the quality of life in this country.

"It is clearly another dimension to be taken into account alongside the destruction of irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland and the increased contribution to climate change of aircraft emissions."