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Protests at Heathrow growth plea Protests at Heathrow growth plea
(8 minutes 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 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.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.
Later on Monday, opponents of the runway staged a protest at Heathrow.Later on Monday, opponents of the runway staged a protest at Heathrow.
Crowds of campaigners, some in Edwardian costume, sat down to enjoy a picnic in the airport's Terminal One.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.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's adverts 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, UniteHeathrow'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.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 RushIf 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.
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.
"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."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.""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
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.
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.
Expansion plans for Heathrow Airport have divided MPsExpansion 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.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.
But at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Gordon Brown said he would meet those sceptical about the development again.But at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Gordon Brown said he would meet those sceptical about the development again.
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.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.