Local people are being urged to turn out in force and demonstrate their opposition to Heathrow expansion at a major rally in central London tonight (25 February).

A staggering 5,000 people have already contacted the council to say ‘no’ to  plans to double the airport’s capacity, and anyone who is opposed to expansion is being encouraged to do the same.

The government‘s 14-week public consultation, which highlights proposals to build a third runway and replace runway alternation with mixed mode, comes to an end on Wednesday 27 February.

To mark the end of the consultation, a public rally is being held at Central Hall, Westminster at 7pm on Monday 25 February 2008.  

Hounslow Council’s lead member for aviation, Cllr Barbara Reid, said: “The government is planning to embark on the biggest ever programme of airport expansion the country has ever seen. It is clear to everyone that this will mean more planes, more noise and more pollution.

“The opposition to expansion is getting strong and stronger and we need to make sure that our voices are heard in Westminster.

“We have just a few days now to make one last push and make sure that every single person in Hounslow who wants to say ‘no’ to airport expansion has made their feelings known.”

Most people who have contacted the council are concerned about noise, safety, climate change and education. During the consultation the raft of new evidence supporting these concerns has come to light.

At the start of the consultation, new evidence emerged from the government revealing that around 2 million people are affected by aircraft noise from Heathrow.

In January, a passenger plane crash-landed at Heathrow and a council survey revealed that 90% of people living close to Heathrow are concerned that expanding the airport will pose an increased risk to safety.

Also in January, an Evening Standard survey found that around 100,000 children in West London would have their education blighted if a third runway is built.

As part of its ‘Say No’ campaign, Hounslow Council is keen to ensure that local people have every opportunity to register their views.

In addition to attending the public meeting there are a number of different ways that people can register their support for the council’s ‘Say No’ campaign including:

Joining the council’s Say No Facebook group via www.hounslow.gov.uk/heathrow

Residents are also being urged to register their views by responding to a survey in a special edition of Hounslow Matters magazine that has been delivered to every household in the borough.