Anti Third Runway Campaigners ‘Celebrate’ in Harmondsworth

A toy demolition truck, a Mr Noisy book and a blank cheque were amongst the imaginative presents campaigners brought to yesterday’s ‘celebration’ of Heathrow’s 70th birthday held in the historic village of Harmondsworth, much of which would be demolished if a third runway went ahead.

The campaigners, representing groups from across London and the Home Counties, planted 783 black planes in the village green to represent the number of houses that would need to be demolished to make way for a new runway.  In a colourful ceremony they also sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the airport and held aloft 70 ‘No 3rd Runway’ red balloons.

John Stewart, the chair of HACAN, one of the organizers of the event said, “Heathrow at 70 should not get any larger.  We are looking for a better not bigger airport.”

Heathrow is expected to mark its official birthday today with the unveiling of a plaque.

The Government has said that it expects to make a decision on a new runway sometime after the EU referendum.

May 31, 2016