Environment group slams Heathrow expansion plan

A LEADING environmental group said today it would continue its fight against plans for a new runway at Heathrow airport.

Yesterday's announcement the third runway would be given the go-ahead has been branded a “terrible decision” and “a hammer blow” by Friends of the Earth.

It could lead to planes flying as low as 1,200m above the south Bucks area because of necessary changes which would be made to flight paths in and out of the airport.

Andy Atkins, executive director of Friends of the Earth, said: “This terrible decision will intensify opposition to the Government’s aviation strategy – the battle against Heathrow expansion can still be won.