Plane Stupid protest
Series of images show plans for roads, terminals and business parks
ANTI-Heathrow expansion protesters have targeted the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
Plane Stupid campaigners teamed up with climate change activists to unveil a ‘No Ifs, No Buts, No Third Runway’ aeroplane to remind Prime Minister David Cameron of his past promise on the issue.
Bryan Tomlinson, of Stop Heathrow Expansion (SHE), said: “The government may ignore public opinion and try to force Heathrow expansion on the people of London and the south-east.
“We all need to remind Parliament that they work for us and not tax-avoiding offshore investors.”
SHE is urging people who object to expansion to join in a national demonstration at Parliament Square on Saturday at 11am.
He added: “We already suffer illegal levels of air pollution and more people are affected by excessive Heathrow noise than all comparable airports in Europe put together.
“This Saturday is our opportunity to be heard.”
‘What an expanded Heathrow could look like’
NEW pictures have been released of what an expanded Heathrow Airport could look like if plans for a third runway get the go-ahead.
The artist impressions show the 3,200m stretch to the west of Terminal 5, with new hotel developments to replace what would be lost to the runway.
An underground passenger system to cut down travel times between terminals has also been proposed.
A statement released by the airport bosses said the new plans could be a catalyst for an M25 with 14 lanes, as well as give the airport the 2040 people capacity they think it needs.
“Our proposal also complements existing plans already in place to better connect Heathrow and the UK,” a spokesman said. “This means that by the time a third runway is operational, new rail services to the north, east, south and west are due to be delivered.”
The impressions unveil two main passenger terminals called Heathrow West, which will include Terminal 5 and 6 and transport hubs, and Heathrow East, an extended Terminal 2.
According to the airport’s most recent figures, a three-runway Heathrow would push up the number of flights a year to 740,000 and create routes to new destinations including cities in China.
The plans have received opposition from campaigners in Sipson, Harmondsworth and Harlington who, last month, unveiled a plastic runway outside properties owned by Heathrow bosses to highlight their concerns.
Those who have openly criticised the plans in recent weeks include UKIP Hillingdon’s Cliff Dixon and Transition Heathrow, a group of activists who have pledged to raise awareness of environmental damage they believe the expansion would cause.