National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has revealed it will not seek the public's views on new air routes until at least September 2010.

Campaigner Sue Yeomans from the Tring based Chilterns Countryside Group
(CCG) said: "We are cautiously optimistic and obviously it is good news that nothing is going to happen in terms of changes until at least September 2010."

In 2008 NATS, which is part owned by airlines, ran a consultation on controversial plans that could see aircrafts flying lower over parts of Dacorum - particularly in Berkhamsted and Tring.

The organisation said the move would slash delays, pollution and the number of flights over major towns including Hemel Hempstead.

But fierce opposition, including the formation of the Chilterns Countryside Group to fight the proposals, led NATS to re-think the move and announce that a second consultation on altered plans would be launched during the summer of this year.

However, NATS general manager of strategy and investment Alex Bristol said: "The downturn in traffic levels internationally since the first consultation means there is less urgency than there was originally for this development."

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