Why do they never use runway 09L for take-offs' at Heathrow? I want someone with technical knowledge please. I stand to correction but is it because of the close proximity of buildings/hotels on bath road which would break noise levels? Please kindly advise
The short answer is that they
do use 09L for departures.
The longer answer is that there was agreement (now rescinded) made in the 1950s with the residents of Cranford that takeoffs from 09L, over their heads, would be avoided
where possible.
The legacy of that agreement is that, while the legal restriction no longer exists, the taxiway layout at LHR does not permit sustained departures from 09L, nor continuous arrivals on 09R, so that the runway roles are never alternated on easterlies, only on westerlies (much to the continued annoyance of Windsor residents).
BAA plan to add additional 09L access taxiways and 09R RETs over the next couple of years, at the same time as the runways are being resurfaced. Until then the practical constraints will still exist.
Having said that, there were around 150 departures off 09L in 2012.