Massive backing for anti-expansion stance

12.08.35pm GMT Thu 6th Mar 2008

Richmond Council's opposition to Heathrow expansion has received overwhelming public support in the results of a consultation just announced.

The Council questionnaire attracted 9,405 responses. Although 89 % of those surveyed knew of the Government's proposals, 47 % were unaware of the Government's consultation on the plans. Last night, the Council's Cabinet approved its formal response to the proposals and, in summary, the authority believes that the plans pose an "environmental disaster" and that no adequate case for them has been made on economic grounds. A mass rally was held in central London last night organised by aviation pressure group Hacan Clearskies and backed by the 2M Group, a coalition of local authorities fighting airport expansion. Even though the main hall seats 2,000, it was packed and extra rooms had to be used to accommodate the huge turnout.

Speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, the Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Serge Lourie, said: "The results of our own consultation overwhelmingly support the Council's anti-expansion stance and we will leave the Government in absolutely no doubt about this strength of feeling in our official response to them. Public meetings and last night's highly-successful rally at Westminster Central Hall all reflect the same view - that the public feel that these proposals are totally unacceptable. Enough is enough, and this simple message will be at the core of our response. Although the Government's consultation deadline arrives tomorrow, we will continue with our 2M partners and others to make the anti-expansion case as forcibly as we can. I restate - this expansion is not inevitable and we hope the massive groundswell of opposition will force a rethink. It's a battle we are determined to win."