The Decision of the Dinosaurs

HACAN Chair John Stewart said of today’s decision: “We believe we have won the environmental, social and economic arguments against expansion. There will be fury at this decision which flies in the face of the facts. But it will mean that campaigners will re-double their efforts to stop expansion. People will fight the Government in the courts, in their communities, in the town halls and, if necessary, on the tarmac of Heathrow Airport. All the warm words in the world about high-speed rail and environmental safeguards will not hide the fact that the Government has decided to give the green light to expansion”

Campaigners still confident of ultimate victory

“The plain fact remains that, if Labour loses the next General Election, this expansion will not take place”

Press Conference 2.15pm, Thursday 15th January (1)

Protest Flash Mob to be staged at Heathrow on Saturday

HACAN has condemned the Government’s decision to give the green light to Heathrow expansion (2) as ‘the last gasp of the dinosaurs’

Stewart added, “The plain fact remains that, if Labour loses the next General Election, this expansion will not take place (3). Despite this decision, campaigners are still confident of ultimate victory. The decision been taken by two dinosaurs, Gordon Brown and Geoff Hoon, in collusion with the aviation industry. We are planning for life beyond the dinosaurs. Later this year, for example, we hope to stage an event on high-speed rail”

Campaign groups HACAN and NoTRAG (No Third Runway Action Group), along with the local authorities, will be consulting their lawyers with a view to mounting a legal challenge.

In protest against the decision on Saturday 17th January at midday (on the dot!) hundreds of people are expected to converge on Heathrow Terminal 5 (Departures concourse) to stage a colourful Flash Mob where the campaigners will all reveal red t-shirts emblazoned with the words Stop Airport Expansion.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

(1). The Stop Heathrow Expansion Coalition will hold a Press Conference at 32 Queen Anne’s Gate (the home of the National Trust). Amongst those taking part will be Fiona Reynolds, Director National Trust; John Sauven, Chief Executive Greenpeace; Cllr Barbara Reid, representing the 2M group of local authorities; Geraldine Nicholson, Chair No Third Runway Action Group; John Stewart, Chair HACAN; and Andy Atkins, Director Friends of the Earth.

(2). This announcement will be made by Geoff Hoon in the House of Commons at 12.30pm. All this decision does is give BAA an in-principle go-ahead to work up detailed expansion plans. These will need to further approval – in the case of a third runway by a Public Inquiry. There is considerable doubt whether any of these plans could be agreed before the next General Election (due, at the latest, in June 2010).

(3). Both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties are opposed to all expansion plans for Heathrow.

For further information contact:

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957 385650

Margaret Thorburn on 0208 568 4079; 07885 454300

Monica Robb on 0208 560 3734