BURNHAM should prepare for more “suffering” as attempts to change flight paths appear set to fail, town councillors have warned.

Residents have been subjected to an increasing numbers of flights in and out of the Southend Airport.

The airport launched a consultation to minimise environmental impacts and a report was prepared by Burnham Town Council in response.

However, residents’ worst fears are being realised.

Last month town councillors Peter Elliot and Nick Skeens attended a meeting with staff from Southend Airport to try and find a solution.

The pair, along with resident John Hitcham, met with the air traffic control manager and project manager at the airport, discussing the impact changes will have on Burnham.

Mr Skeens said: “They explained how it is unavoidable to have aircraft above Burnham at 1,700ft, though people feel like it is a lot lower.

“We told them we’re suffering, and proposed moving flight paths over farmland to the east or west.”

It is unlikely to be achieved due to Civil Aviation Authority guidelines.

Burnham is six miles from the landing strip at Southend, by which point the Civil Aviation Authority requires flights to be on a steady flight path, with no banking, or as little banking as possible.

Moving the flight path east or west of Burnham would lead to planes turning too sharply too late.

Mr Skeens added: “We asked them to at least consider the possibility of finding a way to reduce the impact flights have on the town, as I can only see this getting worse.

“I don’t hold out much hope but we should never stop pushing.”