A SENIOR officer at RAF Brize Norton has issued a new apology over high noise levels caused by testing of engines on Hercules aircraft, pictured.

A report released last month revealed that noise levels recorded in nearby villages broke guidelines set by the Ministry of Defence.

Complaints about noise linked to the air station at Carterton have soared – from 23 a year to 958 – since the turboprop aircraft were transferred to Brize Norton from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire last year.

The RAF has sent out a letter explaining changes that are being made to try to minimise noise.

It says “significant operating constraints” on the location and time of testing had been implemented but said the success of these measures had been shortlived.

Air Commodore Jon Ager said: “This transient reduction may have been due to improved aircraft serviceability, summer holidays or the fact that we had exported training to other parts of the country.

“Nevertheless, the improvement that we thought we had achieved has not been sustained, and I apologise for that.

He added: “I and my team are working hard to reduce the environmental impact from C130 Hercules ground running. We remain committed to being a good neighbour and to working with the local community on environmental issues.”

The base has now brought in more staff and equipment to move the planes to areas of the base that minimise noise impact on residents and testing has been banned near the boundary fence close to Black Bourton.

The RAF is investigating how weather affects noise problems and is considering the idea of building enclosed engine testing facilities.