ORGANISERS of a conference to plan for the worst case scenario in respect of a third runway at Heathrow have declared themselves pleased with the outcome.
Campaigners against the expansion of the airport have pledged to take direct action should the Government give the go-ahead to a new runway later this year.
Around 140 people packed into Harlington Baptist Church, in Harlington, on Saturday (26) where the message was they were not prepared to let the village of Sipson be wiped off the map.
The direct action will form part of an autumn offensive by the anti-expansion campaigners with marches, demonstrations and flash mobs the most likely methods used.
But the campaigners will also continue to lobby MPs and government departments. They will highlight the effect expansion will have on peopleÕs health and on childrenÕs education.
There will also be further work to challenge the argument that expansion of the expansion of the airport is required for economic reasons.
John Stewart, the chairman of HACAN, said: "The message that came across very clearly from the conference is that people are utterly determined to stop any further expansion of Heathrow. They donÕt want a third runway or a sixth terminal and they donÕt more planes on the existing runways."
The event was organised by HACAN, No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG), the Camp for Climate Action and Greenpeace. Speakers included Christine Taylor from NoTRAG and Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell (Lab).
Speaking afterwards he said: "We have basically shaped the campaign for the next six months. It was an incredibly well attended meeting and the message which came out of it was very positive indeed."
On Sunday morning the members of Climate Camp set off to walk from Harlington to Kingsnorth in Kent where this year's camp will be held to protest against a coal-fired power station.
