Call to join Heathrow mass rally

10.36.39am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 23rd May 2008

• A CALL to residents wanting to voice opposition to Heathrow expansion to join a public rally this month has been issued by the Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Serge Lourie.

The rally at Sipson village near Heathrow will be held on Saturday May 31. It is being organised by the 2M Group, representing 21 local authorities opposed to expansion, and a number of other organisations including aviation pressure group, Hacan Clearskies. The aim is to be part of the biggest and loudest human NO in the Guinness Book of Records. The Richmond Heathrow Campaign (RHC) is organising transport for local residents who have pre-booked. The assembly point is on The Little Green near Richmond Theatre, from noon for coaches departing to Sipson at 12.30pm. The Kew Society is organising a coach leaving from Station Parade, Kew, at 12 noon. At Sipson, there will be a rally and carnival. The rally will be held on a recreation ground that would be destroyed to make way for Terminal Six. The event is likely to be the last of its kind before Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, announces her decision on proposals for a new third runway, Sixth Terminal and intensified use of existing runways.

Speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, Cllr Lourie said: "This is a fun event with a serious purpose. It will be one of the last events of its kind before the Secretary of State makes her decision on Heathrow expansion plans, and a massive turnout, at this eleventh hour, could help our case enormously. I would urge local residents opposed to the plans to come together on the day and make their views known."