THE Army has been urged to control the noise levels from sports cars racing along the runway at a Suffolk air base which are disrupting the lives of nearby residents.
THE Army has been urged to control the noise levels from sports cars racing along the runway at a Suffolk air base which are disrupting the lives of nearby residents.
Use of the Woodbridge Airfield runway for non-military purposes has upset residents at Sutton Heath. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and controlled by Colchester Garrison.
One householder, who declined to be named, claimed the noise levels were as high as Formula One cars.
He added: ''This is due to go on all through the summer months, at weekends and also some weekdays for private sessions.
“An Army exercise or training would be more than welcome as it is an army base and we do need exercises - but not the unlimited and uncontrolled noise from drag racing that we are now suffering.''
A spokesman for the MoD said such events were kept to a minimum.
He said: “It is the MoD's policy to encourage the use of MoD facilities by the public, hence the use of Woodbridge Airfield for motor sport events.
“The motor sport events organised are closed to the general public and are only open to motor and motorcycle club enthusiasts. Clubs participating at Woodbridge must be duly accredited members of motor sport clubs or motoring organisations to ensure the safety and strict conduct of the events.”
He said such events were always supervised by a military representative and any “bad conduct” was noted and action taken to stop the club returning to Woodbridge.
“The events are also sanctioned officially through Defence Estates which liaises with the local planners regarding noise levels. In addition Suffolk Constabulary is always advised when events are to take place so that those arriving and departing do so in a responsible manner.
“Permission to the clubs is granted on the basis that it is their responsibility to inform local residents of the dates of the events.
“Woodbridge is one of four local MOD airfields used for motor sport. The season is April through to October and normally events at Woodbridge are only held at weekends.''
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