2,500 protesters vent fury over Heathrow 'sham' consultation

Central Hall in Westminster was packed with up to 2,500 people last night while hundreds more remained on the pavement outside for the biggest anti-Heathrow expansion rally so far.

The protest - organised by No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG) and Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (Hacan Clear Skies) - was timed to be just before the end of the Government's consultation into plans for a third runway at the west London airport, a possible sixth terminal and greater use of the existing two runways.

But campaign group Greenpeace claims the Government's consultation process, which closes tomorrow, was "fixed".

Yesterday's rally came just hours after four Greenpeace protesters evaded Heathrow security to unfurl a banner on the tail of an Airbus A320 reading: "Climate Emergency. No 3rd runway."

They have now been bailed and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has launched an investigation into the "irresponsible" breach.

But campaigners today promised more protests, including a "flash mob" at the official opening of Terminal 5 on 27 March.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said at the rally: "The case for extending Heathrow Airport is so threadbare it's embarrassing. It's clear from this extraordinary consultation document that they don't speak English there. Where is the box that simply says no, no, no?".

And protesters who live near Heathrow told how family graves would be torn up and new roads come within 10 feet of their back door.

Christine Taylor, 50, a full-time campaigner from Harlington, said: "I found out on my 50th birthday that I was going to have a major road 10 feet from my back door. There are fields there at the moment so the pollution alone is a huge concern.

"My life is going to be completely shattered if these plans go ahead. We feel that we've been left totally on our own."

Another resident, Tony Bond, 47, a telecoms engineer from Hillingdon, said the graves of his brother, sister, father and grandparents will be ripped up under the proposals. "They are buried in Cherry Lane Cemetery - for that to be taken away from us is obscene.

"I can't believe that they are even considering doing this to our family grave. My grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday last year and she knew Heathrow when it was a little village."

But British Airways hit back today, attacking objectors for peddling "myths" about the economic and environmental impact of the plans.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "If Heathrow's international connectivity continues to decline, UK-based business will lose competitiveness and be forced to consider relocating abroad." He added: "There will be no increase in overall emissions."

But pressure groups claim more than 50 new areas will be blighted by increased noise and pollution, which will devastate local schools.

One big concern is "mixed mode" flights, allowing planes to land and take off at shorter intervals. Residents claim this will mean a plane taking off or landing every 90 seconds.

Filmmaker Rebecca Frayn, 45, from Chiswick, said: "I don't want planes flying low over Chiswick High Road every 90 seconds."

Arthur Moore, 56, a company director from Chiswick, said: "We're going to have planning blight in the area for the next 12 years."

Mayoral rivals Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone both recorded video messages for the rally, adding their voices to the campaign, which is supported by 14 councils around Heathrow.