Around three thousand campaigners opposed to plans for a third runway at Heathrow held a protest march and rally near the west London airport yesterday. The protesters marched from Hatton Cross to Sipson, the village that would be lost if the planned runway goes ahead. The Make A Noise Carnival included stilt-walkers, brass bands and people in fancy dress. They then gathered in a field to form a giant 'NO', that could be seen from the air.
In November last year the government set out proposals for a major expansion at Heathrow, which could see the building of a third runway and a sixth terminal. The new runway would be 2,200m (about 7,200ft) long and could be in operation by 2020 if it got the go-ahead. But campaigners say the planned expansion would have a serious impact on hundreds of thousands of homes in the area. Business groups and airlines claim the third runway is essential.
MPs, local council leaders and environmentalists addressed the crowds. Speakers included London's deputy mayor Richard Barnes, who said: 'I've represented Hillingdon for 20 years and this is not the first time I've fought Heathrow airport expansion. They keep lying to us but this time we will win because we have cross-party support.'
Protester Anna Serdaris, 50, from Athens, told the BBC: 'We have the same problem at Athens airport and I felt I needed to show my support. It's ironic that I've had to fly here this morning to protest against airport expansion but people need to listen.'
Environmental campaign group Greenpeace also backed the demonstration. Executive director John Sauven said: 'If everybody took trains to Manchester, Paris, Scotland and Brussels rather than flying, the third runway would not even be necessary.'
But Lord Soley, campaign director of pro-expansion group Future Heathrow, said opinion polls showed local people were in favour of expansion. He said: 'Local people know that the airport is vital to the local economy and supports jobs and business. A third runway will only go ahead within environmental limits on noise and air quality.'
Event organiser Tamsin Omond, who took part in the recent roof top protest at the Houses of Parliament, said the demonstration was a success. She said: 'We've had 3,000 people make the effort to come out here and tell the government we don't want a third runway. And it's not just the usual suspects.'
The public consultation period over the proposals ended on February 27. Final decisions are expected some time next year. |
