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Rally aims to stop airport growth Rally aims to stop airport growth
(about 2 hours later)
Campaigners opposed to a third runway at Heathrow are hoping a rally later will persuade the government not to expand the airport in west London.Campaigners opposed to a third runway at Heathrow are hoping a rally later will persuade the government not to expand the airport in west London.
Organisers claim thousands of people are expected to gather at the airport to take part in the protest.
The campaigners say the planned expansion would have a serious impact on hundreds of thousands of homes in the area.The campaigners say the planned expansion would have a serious impact on hundreds of thousands of homes in the area.
But business groups and airlines claim the third runway is essential.But business groups and airlines claim the third runway is essential.
Village destroyed MPs, local council leaders and environmentalists are due to address the rally.
MPs, local council leaders and environmentalists are due to address the crowds, and bands will play at a protest being called the Make A Noise Carnival.
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.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 2,200 metres (about 7,200ft) long and could be in operation by 2020 if it got the go-ahead. Village destroyed
The new runway would be 2,200m (about 7,200ft) long and could be in operation by 2020 if it got the go-ahead.
The government has said it would meet noise and air quality targets, but the entire village of Sipson with about 700 homes would be destroyed.The government has said it would meet noise and air quality targets, but the entire village of Sipson with about 700 homes would be destroyed.
Heathrow has never before have seen a spectacle like this John StewartChairman of Hacan The protesters plan to walk from Hatton Cross to Sipson, where they will gather in a field to form the word "No".
The protestors plan to walk from Hatton Cross to Sipson, where they will gather in a field to form a huge "no" that should be visible to passing aircraft. John Stewart, the chairman of Heathrow anti-noise and anti-expansion group Hacan, said: "Coaches will be coming from as far away as Manchester and Southampton and we will be joined by campaigners from Athens Airport in Greece."
John Stewart, the chairman of Heathrow anti-noise and anti-expansion group Hacan, said: "Heathrow has never before seen a spectacle like this.
"Thousands of people will be demonstrating against Heathrow expansion.
"Coaches will be coming from as far away as Manchester and Southampton and we will be joined by campaigners from Athens Airport in Greece."
Supports jobsSupports jobs
But Lord Soley, campaign director of pro-expansion group Future Heathrow, said opinion polls showed local people were in favour of expansion.But Lord Soley, campaign director of pro-expansion group Future Heathrow, said opinion polls showed local people were in favour of expansion.
"Local people know that the airport is vital to the local economy and supports jobs and business," he said."Local people know that the airport is vital to the local economy and supports jobs and business," he said.
"A third runway will only go ahead within environmental limits on noise and air quality. "A third runway will only go ahead within environmental limits on noise and air quality."
"Airlines will only be able to fly more planes from Heathrow if they buy cleaner and quieter aircraft."
The public consultation period over the proposals ended on 27 February, and final policy decisions are expected to be taken some time next year.The public consultation period over the proposals ended on 27 February, and final policy decisions are expected to be taken some time next year.