LONDON (AFP) — Thousands of people gathered Saturday for a protest against plans to expand London's Heathrow airport with a third runway and sixth terminal, police and organisers said.
The protests were organised by environmental campaigners concerned about the impact of more flights on climate change alongside local people who fear increased noise and air pollution.
Demonstrators are marching from Hatton Cross London Underground station near Heathrow, west of London, to Sipson, a village where around 700 homes will be knocked down if plans for a third runway get the green light.
Here, they plan to form giant human chains to spell out the word "no", which they hope will be visible from aircraft in the skies above.
The leader of the world's Anglicans, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, has sent a message of support to demonstrators.
"Christians, like all people of faith, believe that human beings are on earth as stewards of God's creation," he said.
"As such, we have a responsibility, both to God and to generations to come, to ensure that this remains a sustainable world."
Several local lawmakers are also taking part in the protest.
Organiser Tamsin Omond told AFP that about 10,000 people were taking part, although London's Metropolitan Police put the figure at 3,000.
"This campaign has been growing a huge collection of groupings all focused on saying no to Heathrow," Omond said.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's government is considering plans to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow, saying expansion is necessary to safeguard its status as a major world airport.
The British Chambers of Commerce, which represents British business interests around the world, says expansion is essential to keep the country economically competitive.
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