Thousands protest Heathrow expansion

LONDON, June 1 (UPI) -- A march in London to protest the planned expansion of Heathrow Airport attracted thousands of demonstrators, officials said.

British Airways plans to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at the world's busiest airport. Protesters oppose the expansion for a variety of reasons including global climate change, noise pollution and traffic congestion, the Telegraph reported Sunday.

More than 3,000 turned out for the "Make a Noise Carnival," in which protesters walked from Hatton Cross in west London to Sipson, the village they say will be destroyed if the planned third runway goes ahead.

John Stewart, chairman of Heathrow anti-noise and anti-expansion group Hacan, said Heathrow "has become a symbol of worldwide resistance against aggressive airport expansion."

With a third runway, the number of flights at Heathrow is expected to increase by nearly 40 percent to more than 700,000 flights annually.

"There is no doubting the strong views that some people hold against Heathrow's expansion. However, opinion polls continue to show that most local people support a third runway," said Lord Soley, campaign director of pro-expansion group Future Heathrow.