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Bosses urge Heathrow's expansion Protests at Heathrow growth plea
(about 9 hours later)
Union and business leaders have joined the airline industry in urging the government to approve the construction of a third runway at Heathrow.Union and business leaders have joined the airline industry in urging the government to approve the construction of a third runway at Heathrow.
The Future Heathrow Group warns in newspaper adverts "Heathrow's status as a global hub is at stake". The union Unite says 172,000 jobs may be at risk. The Future Heathrow Group warned in newspaper adverts "Heathrow's status as a global hub is at stake". The union Unite says 172,000 jobs may be at risk.
But opponents of the runway plan to demonstrate at Heathrow later. Later on Monday, opponents of the runway staged a protest at Heathrow.
Gordon Brown is expected to give the plans the go-ahead this week, despite the opposition of some 50 Labour MPs. Crowds of campaigners, some in Edwardian costume, sat down to enjoy a picnic in the airport's Terminal One.
Gordon Brown, who is expected to agree the plans this week, has said he will meet Labour MPs who oppose the project.
'Gateway to world''Gateway to world'
The Future Heathrow group has taken out newspaper adverts which say the expansion is vital for the British economy's long-term competiveness. The Future Heathrow Group's adverts say the expansion is vital for the British economy's long-term competiveness.
Heathrow's modernisation is the only way to reduce aircraft emissions and cut disruption Derek Simpson, Unite It argues other major European airports have already expanded and are ready to take advantage when the market starts to recover. Heathrow's modernisation is the only way to reduce aircraft emissions and cut disruption Derek Simpson, Unite
It argues other major European airports have already expanded and are ready to take advantage when the market starts to recover.
CBI director-general Richard Lambert said: "Heathrow is our gateway to the world and we need to ensure that it remains a world-class airport capable of serving the needs of a global economy."CBI director-general Richard Lambert said: "Heathrow is our gateway to the world and we need to ensure that it remains a world-class airport capable of serving the needs of a global economy."
Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive of business group London First, said: "Business needs to fly and will do so long after the current economic turmoil."Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive of business group London First, said: "Business needs to fly and will do so long after the current economic turmoil."
The union Unite said Heathrow's modernisation would not only safeguard jobs but create an additional 50,000 in construction and services.The union Unite said Heathrow's modernisation would not only safeguard jobs but create an additional 50,000 in construction and services.
Joint general secretary Derek Simpson said: "We sincerely believe that Heathrow's modernisation is the only way to reduce aircraft emissions and cut disruption."Joint general secretary Derek Simpson said: "We sincerely believe that Heathrow's modernisation is the only way to reduce aircraft emissions and cut disruption."
If the government pushes ahead with their disastrous plans they are going to be met with peaceful but determined public protests Climate Rush
Airport operator BAA says it needs to build a new runway to meet passenger demand.Airport operator BAA says it needs to build a new runway to meet passenger demand.
But the Institute of Public Policy Research think-tank said conditions for meeting noise and emissions targets must be attached to any approval of the third runway.But the Institute of Public Policy Research think-tank said conditions for meeting noise and emissions targets must be attached to any approval of the third runway.
People will fight the Government in the courts, in their communities, in the town halls and, if necessary, on the tarmac of Heathrow Airport John Stewart, NoTRAG
Opponents, including residents living near the airport and environmentalists, are continuing to fight the expansion plans.Opponents, including residents living near the airport and environmentalists, are continuing to fight the expansion plans.
Environment protesters will gather at Heathrow's Terminal 1 on Monday evening to demonstrate against the plans in a protest organised by the action group Climate Rush. "This is our last chance to tell our government that they are making a big mistake," said a spokesman for Climate Rush, some of whose members dressed as suffragettes for protests at Heathrow and Manchester airports.
"If the government pushes ahead with their disastrous plans they are going to be met with peaceful but determined public protests on an unprecedented level."
Fight to go onFight to go on
And some protesters have vowed to continue their fight even if it does get the go-ahead. Some protesters have vowed to continue their fight even if it does get the go-ahead.
John Stewart, chairman of the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN) and No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG) said they would consult their lawyers and mount a legal challenge. The Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN) and No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG) said they would consult their lawyers and mount a legal challenge.
"People will fight the government in the courts, in their communities, in the town halls and, if necessary, on the tarmac of Heathrow Airport." Expansion plans for Heathrow Airport have divided MPs
London Mayor Boris Johnson said he expected a legal challenge and other objections would prove "insurmountable" for the project, which the Conservatives oppose.
More than 50 Labour MPs are opposed to the proposal and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has voiced reservations about any development's environmental impact.More than 50 Labour MPs are opposed to the proposal and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has voiced reservations about any development's environmental impact.
There were calls for a high-speed rail link between UK cities instead of the third runway, which the Conservatives supported. But at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Gordon Brown said he would meet those sceptical about the development again.
But government has said the short runway at Heathrow was still needed. Mr Brown told the meeting there was an intense debate on how to balance the country's economic and environmental obligations when it came to big infrastructural projects.