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Heathrow expansion: 15 protesters arrested on M4 spur road Heathrow expansion: Protesters arrested on M4 spur road
(about 1 hour later)
Fifteen Heathrow expansion protesters were arrested after they blocked a motorway near the airport.Fifteen Heathrow expansion protesters were arrested after they blocked a motorway near the airport.
The environmental activists, claiming to be from Climate Change is a Crisis, disrupted the west London airport's spur road at its junction with the M4 . Environmental activists disrupted the west London airport's M4 spur road as a number of groups demonstrated on Saturday over the government's recent decision to approve a third runway.
They were arrested for obstructing the highway and public order offences. The arrests were made for obstructing the highway or public order offences.
A number of groups are demonstrating on Saturday over the government's recent decision to approve a third runway. Traffic was disrupted but there was no reported impact on flights.
A Heathrow spokesman warned passengers to allow extra time to travel to the airport or to use public transport where possible. Protesters from the environmental organisation Rising Up! also locked themselves together as they blocked the East Ramp road near the airport.
He added: "We can confirm that a number of climate change protests are taking place at Heathrow today. Other campaigners gathered on the flyover to chant "No ifs, no buts, no third runway" and "No more runways".
"Whilst we respect the right to peaceful protest, the safety of our passengers, aircraft and colleagues, together with the smooth running of the airport, is paramount." A Heathrow spokesman warned passengers to allow extra time to travel or to use public transport where possible.
Genny Scherer, 70, who is part of the group taking action, said: "It's one or the other: new runways or a safe climate. A spokesman for Rising Up! said: "The government's decisions to expand Heathrow, despite mass opposition from local residents and the fact that doing so is incompatible with the UK's own laws on climate change, leaves us with no morally acceptable option but to resist."
"This is what democracy looks like when politicians drop their election promises, instead allowing climate change to wreck lives of poorer people globally." Neil Keveren, a resident of nearby Harmondsworth, said: "Democracy has failed us.
"As a direct result, the quality of life and life expectancy of the population here will be shorter.
"This is against our human rights and must be defended. Who is left to correct this injustice when our politicians will not?
"The answer is us - you and me."
A spokeswoman for Heathrow said: "Independent analysis by the Airports Commission has found that building and operating an additional runway at Heathrow is compatible with the UK meeting its long-term climate change reduction targets.
"The Independent Committee on Climate Change has also shown that a 60% growth in passenger numbers in the United Kingdom can be achieved within the UK's Climate Change Targets."
The @MetPoliceEvents account confirmed the arrests on its Twitter feed.The @MetPoliceEvents account confirmed the arrests on its Twitter feed.