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Residents Vow To 'See Off' Heathrow Third Runway

Residents and politicians say they will continue to fight expansion of Heathrow, despite many in the business community welcoming the Airport Commission's decision to recommend a third runway.

Groups representing people who live near the west London airport were united in their dismay about the decision, and said they would "see it off".

The Airports Commission has recommended a third runway be built, instead of extending an existing runway or building a second runway at Gatwick.

John Stewart, chairman of local protest group HACAN, said: "This is far from the end of the story. The final decision will be taken by the Government.

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"Given the strength of opposition there is to Heathrow within the Cabinet, the final chapter could contain a sting in the tail. Gatwick could emerge as the final choice by Christmas."

Robert Barnstone, another HACAN campaigner who lives in nearby Uxbridge, said: "Residents are going to be absolutely furious at this decision.

"I personally don't think they're going to let it go ahead. The Airports Commission report is published, but we're going to write the final chapter of this report and see it off for good."

Paul McGuinness, spokesman for Teddington Action Group, added: "It's incredible that a government which has recently been legally bound by the Supreme Court to improve air quality to meet EU directives can even begin to consider a third runway at Heathrow - an area which currently exceeds all limit values on toxic emissions."

The residents were backed by London politicians across the political divide, including Mayor and Uxbridge MP Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson told Sky News: "The trouble with this scheme is it is just not deliverable.

"You'd have to place all sorts of restrictions on the third runway - you'd have to have no night flights at all - none of which the airport is willing to accept. I don't think it's going to happen."

Labour's Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting, said: "This is a bad decision. All Londoners should know if I'm elected mayor I will do everything in my power to stop this health and environmental catastrophe blighting London."

Lib Dem Carshalton MP Tom Brake said his party was "vehemently opposed to any expansion at Heathrow, as well as at Stansted or Gatwick".

Meanwhile Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "It's deeply disappointing that Howard Davies is proposing expansion at Heathrow.

Stewart Wingate, chief executive at Gatwick, refused to rule out a legal challenge but, in the meantime, said he would continue trying to persuade ministers not to reject his bid.

Building a second runway at Gatwick would not bring as many economic benefits as a third runway at Heathrow, according to the report from Sir Howard Davies' commission.

Mr Wingate said: "Gatwick is still very much in the race. The Commission's report makes clear that expansion at Gatwick is deliverable.

"It is for the Commission to make a recommendation, but it is of course for the Government to decide."

But many in the business community welcomed the report, saying now the decision had been made, action must be taken quickly.

John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The ball is now firmly in the Government's court.

"If ministers duck this decision, and delay airport expansion for yet another generation, British businesses and our overall competitiveness will pay the price."

Jim McAuslan, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots' Association, said: "We would encourage the Government to follow suit and act swiftly for the good of the country."

Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, said: "Today's recommendation that Heathrow should be allowed to expand is the right one for industry and the country."