Release Date: 02/06/2008
A massive NO to Heathrow expansion was voiced by protesters opposed to plans for a third runway at the airport at a rally attended by an estimated 3,000 people last weekend (Saturday May 31).
The event was staged at Sipson, the village near Heathrow that would be destroyed if the new runway goes ahead.
The protesters converged on the village to form a giant human “NO” to expansion plans.
Several hundred came from Richmond borough, many in coaches laid on by the Richmond Heathrow Campaign and the Kew Society.
The event was organised by, among others, the 2M Group, an alliance of 21 local authorities representing millions of residents whose lives will be directly affected by the expansion.
Speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, the Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Serge Lourie,
who joined the rally, said:
“The airport is large enough already and these expansion plans are completely unacceptable.
“The Council has long pressed for a halt to expansion, and to night flights, to end the noise misery endured by residents in this borough and beyond.
“We feel that the case for expansion has not been made.
“And the message from the rally was absolutely clear: an emphatic NO!”
The rally was one of the last events of its kind before Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, announces her decision - expected this autumn - on proposals for a new third runway, sixth terminal and intensified use of existing runways.
For more information go to our Heathrow expansion web pages or to www.richmondheathrowcampaign.org