100 politicians join fight over Heathrow runway

Campaigners from across the political spectrum today joined forces to condemn plans to expand Heathrow.

The barrage of protests were led by Ken Livingstone who said the case for a third runway and sixth terminal "failed on every test".

In a separate move, a 100-strong coalition of MPs, MEPs and councillors from across London have put their names to a petition opposing the proposed expansion.

The cross-party group said the plans posed a "significant" threat to the environment and would ruin the "quality of life of countless Londoners".

Those backing the campaign include Labour MPs John McDonnell and Alan Keen, the Conservative MPs John Randall, Nick Hurd and Stephen Hammond and six of London's nine MEPs.

The petition - organised by Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park - reads: "The Government's plans to expand Heathrow pose a significant threat to the environment and to the quality of life of countless Londoners. We, therefore, call upon the Government to withdraw its proposals for a third runway and sixth terminal."

Speaking in Sipson village in Hillingdon, which is threatened by the bulldozers if plans for a third runway are approved, Mr Livingstone said: "On every test - environment, economic and quality of life - the argument for expanding Heathrow has not been made and I don't believe it ever can.

He was speaking after a report by the London Assembly's environment committee said the economic benefits of expansion were "exaggerated".

The committee, chaired Darren Johnson, also concluded the plans "breach EU air quality standards" and projections for noise impact levels are "false".

"It is our view that the noise and air quality conditions placed on a third runway and sixth terminal are inadequate and do not take into account the full impact the proposed expansion will have on Londoners.

"Expansion at Heathrow should not be considered while various local and international conditions continue to be overlooked or completely underestimated," said Mr Johnson.

The Government announced in December it would like to see a near doubling of the number of flights at Heathrow to more than 700,000 a year as part of the expansion plans.

In a final push to stop the scheme, campaigners have taken out an advertisement in today's Evening Standard urging people to text their opposition.

The advert has been taken out on behalf of the 2M group of London councils which represents the two million people most affected by expansion.

Edward Lister, leader of Wandsworth Council and 2M's spokesman, today called for the consultation into expansion to be extended beyond its end date of 27 February.

"This is equivalent to adding an extra airport the size of Gatwick at Heathrow. It is unthinkable that ministers should want to rush this through," he said.

He added: "We need to see a proper cost-benefit analysis which looks at all the social and environmental costs of expansion and which assesses the economic impact of alternative scenarios."