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Heathrow protesters do rush hour leafleting

this is london | 17.09.2002 10:47

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Runway protesters take to the trains
Campaigners against the building of a third runway at Heathrow airport took their protest to London's travelling public yesterday morning.

They handed out leaflets at underground and rail stations during the rush hour calling on the government to drop any plans for third runway.

A large number of stations in west London were leafleted by members of the No Third Runway Campaign', supported by HACAN ClearSkies, between 7am and 9am.

The 170 page SERAS report, the government consultation into runway expansion in the South East, devoted only one phrase to the route of the third runway arguing it would follow the route of the M4 corridor.

Subsequently HACAN ClearSkies produced detailed maps which showed that large areas of Brentford, Chiswick, Hammersmith and Kensington would be affected.

John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, said: "Thousands of my constituents will lose their homes if this runway goes ahead. They are very angry indeed.

"This action is just the beginning of a determined campaign to sink the proposal."

John Stewart, chair of HACAN ClearSkies, said: "We are standing shoulder to shoulder with the people whose homes are threatened. But a third runway also means a third flight path. Over 100,000 Londoners will be under the new flight path. This is our chance to alert them to that fact."

Dr Jenny Tonge has continually campaigned against a third runway.

She said: "Over the past few months my constituents have expressed a great deal of concern about plans for a third runway at Heathrow. I am strongly opposed to this scheme, as it would result in a 42% rise in flight numbers creating yet more noise, pollution and danger for long-suffering residents.

"This is why I am launching a major new campaign against the proposed runway in the form of a petition, which I intend to present to the Government."

If you would like to help collect signatures write to Dr Tonge at the following address and you will be supplied with petition forms: Jenny Tonge MP, Old Station Works, 119-123 Sandycombe Road, Richmond TW9 2ER.

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