A campaign with the widest support

Just one year ago many would have thought that opposition to Heathrow expansion stood little chance. The Government had made up its mind and only west London residents would be campaigning to prevent it.

Instead, an extraordinary coalition has built up to fight the proposals. National papers and periodicals - most notably The Sunday Times and The Economist - have spoken with one voice against expansion. Countrywide organisations such as The National Trust have expressed their opposition. All four main candidates for London mayor were against expansion. The 2M group of councils is now close to becoming 3M, the addition of Islington, Camden and Lambeth increasing the population covered by around a million. And opposition to Heathrow expansion has become a flagship campaign for the environmental movement, what with last summer's climate camp and this year's direct action at Heathrow itself and on the roof of Parliament.

The links on this page provide a representative summary of how the campaign is being supported by press articles, and also an update of what has been happening over recent months.

Commentary

Hemmed in at Heathrow

The Economist, 27th March 2008
"London's main airport is bursting at the seams. A third runway and a sixth terminal are not the answer to the congestion." Read the article.

So what on earth can we do about Heathrow?

Evening Standard, 28th March 2008
"Don't even think about expanding the world's busiest airport until its many current problems are sorted out, says one business commentator." Read the article.

Ministers out of touch over Heathrow Airport

Daily Telegraph, 3rd April 2008
"BAA, the unions and ministers are planning to give us what we do not want or need, because their lives will become more difficult if they fail." Read the article.

Third runway is a flight of fallacy

Sunday Times, 4th May 2008
Article by Bob Ayling, former chief executive of British Airways:
"A third runway at Heathrow is against Britain's economic interests. It is being driven by BAA, the Spanish-owned airport operator, and the misguided aspirations of British airlines. It is likely, in the long term, to prove a costly mistake." Read the article.

London's Airports

Financial Times Lex Column, 9th May 2008
"Other, even simpler, solutions should now be considered Ð such as limiting the number of flights into Heathrow."

News

Revealed: the plot to expand Heathrow

Sunday Times, 9th March 2008
"The airports operator BAA colluded with government officials to "fix" the evidence in favour of a new third runway at Heathrow, an investigation has found. Documents seen by The Sunday Times reveal that BAA executives prevented the use of data in the consultation document which showed that the expansion would cause unlawful levels of pollution and extra noise." Read the article.

Heathrow plans crash zone on motorway

Sunday Times, 13th April 2008
"Plans for a third runway at Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport, flout safety guidelines by placing a proposed crash-landing zone on top of a motorway junction." Read the article.