Heathrow expansion rally held in Richmond

Press Release

19 November 2016

For immediate use

Heathrow expansion rally held in Richmond

Stop Heathrow Expansion, a resident-led community group opposed to the third runway at Heathrow, took part in a rally attended by hundreds this morning at Richmond Green to oppose the expansion of Heathrow.

Compered by broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth, speakers at the rally ranged from comedian Alistair McGowan, Richmond by-election candidate Zac Goldsmith, campaign groups, local authority leaders and Tory MP Tania Mathias. The rally also heard from the former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, who spoke of the need to oppose expansion at Heathrow “because there is no Planet B. We must hand it over in a better form to future generations.”

Sheila Taylor, 85, a lifelong resident of the Heathrow Villages who addressed the crowd, said: We’ve got to stick together and win this fight or Heathrow will come back again and want more and more, as they have in the past.”

On 17 November, Hillingdon, Richmond, Windsor & Maidenhead and Wandsworth councils, alongside environmental group Greenpeace announced in a letter to transport secretary Chris Grayling that legal proceedings would be launched within 14 days unless the plans for a 3rd runway were dropped.

Speaking at today’s rally, Leader of Richmond Council Lord True said: “We will win the legal fight and defeat the power of Heathrow.”

Christine Taylor from Stop Heathrow Expansion, said: “Lives are being ruined by the repeated threat of Heathrow expansion, the legal challenge is one step in the latest campaign to put a stop for the third runway for good.”

The villages of Harmondsworth and Longford will be demolished in order to become a runway, with thousands of people losing their homes. Many thought their homes and community was safe following the Government’s decision in 2010 to cancel the previous proposal for a third runway.

Ends

Pictures available on request.

For more information: Rob Barnstone on 07806 947050; robert.barnstone@outlook.com