I MUST respond to the Daily Echo's front page story (July 13) headlined Plane Crazy? Routes Set to Fly Over Peaceful Rural Areas.

This is entirely misleading.

The consultation document shows clearly that the proposed airspace sits on top of existing airspace in the region where, in the Solent zone above Romsey and Totton, aircraft already fly as low as 3,000ft.

The proposed development is aimed at reducing complexity at a congested airspace crossing point north of Newbury; it is not associated with, nor will it directly enable, expansion of services at any of the region's airports.

The consultation document, which is on the NATS website, makes this quite clear and I am disappointed that the Daily Echo doesn't appear to have read it.

The principal effect in terms of Bournemouth is that separating north-south flows means that arrivals from the north will have a different turn into their approach to the airport. This affects only a very small proportion of the Bournemouth airport traffic, since only 20 per cent of all Bournemouth arrivals are from the north.

In addition, this southern portion of the proposed change is promulgated as "flexible use airspace" which means it is only established as controlled airspace during certain hours of the day.

It will only be available 1730-0930 (and Bournemouth is closed 0000-0600 except for occasional cargo movements, and Southampton from 2300-0600).

We welcome contributions to the consultation but would like this to be on the basis of proper representation and reporting of the proposal.

The consultation document can be accessed through www.nats.co.uk by clicking on Airspace and Environment".

JANE JOHNSTON, head of external communications, NATS, Whiteley, Fareham.