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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. |
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. |
MPs, local council leaders and environmentalists are due to address the rally. | |
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. |
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. |
The protesters plan to walk from Hatton Cross to Sipson, where they will gather in a field to form the word "No". | |
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." | |
Supports jobs | Supports 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." | |
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. |