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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Thousands join Heathrow protest | Thousands join Heathrow protest |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of campaigners opposed to plans for a third runway at Heathrow joined a protest rally outside the west London airport. | |
| An estimated 3,000 protesters marched from Hatton Cross to Sipson, many gathering in a field to spell out the word "No". | An estimated 3,000 protesters marched from Hatton Cross to Sipson, many gathering in a field to spell out the word "No". |
| Campaigners say the planned expansion would have a serious impact on hundreds of thousands of homes in the area. | 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 addressed the crowds. | |
| Speakers included London's deputy mayor Richard Barnes. | Speakers included London's deputy mayor Richard Barnes. |
| Village destroyed | Village destroyed |
| He 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." | "They keep lying to us but this time we will win because we have cross-party support." |
| Economic expansion and growth is all very well for those making the money but the damage it's doing to the planet is not acceptable Lewis Jones, protester | Economic expansion and growth is all very well for those making the money but the damage it's doing to the planet is not acceptable Lewis Jones, protester |
| 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 2,200m (about 7,200ft) long and could be in operation by 2020 if it got the go-ahead. | 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. |
| Protesters spoke of the reasons why they were demonstrating. | Protesters spoke of the reasons why they were demonstrating. |
| Anna Serdaris, 50, from Athens, said: "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." | |
| Support jobs | Support jobs |
| Lewis Jones, 21, from Roehampton said: "I'm here just because the public need to know. | Lewis Jones, 21, from Roehampton said: "I'm here just because the public need to know. |
| "Economic expansion and growth is all very well for those making the money but the damage it's doing to the planet is not acceptable. This is building momentum." | "Economic expansion and growth is all very well for those making the money but the damage it's doing to the planet is not acceptable. This is building momentum." |
| 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." |
| 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. |