Protesters unite over airports

Residents are strongly opposed to airport expansion

Groups opposing airport expansion across the South East will join forces as the consultation on proposals ends.

Protesters fighting more runways at Heathrow in west London, Stansted in Essex, Gatwick in Sussex or a new £9bn airport at Cliffe in Kent will sign a declaration of unity in London on Monday.

Campaigners say the move shows they stand together and do not want to "export our misery to anybody else."

But those backing airport expansion say it shows opponents' "Banana" tendency - Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody.

The government says it has to act to cope with the expected sharp increase in air travel over the next 30 years.

It has received about 140,000 responses to its proposals.

The government was hoping to divide and rule

John Stewart, Airport Watch

Ministers will now consider responses before a final decision is made in a White Paper, expected before the end of the year.

John Stewart, the current chairman of anti-expansion group AirportWatch, said: "The government was hoping to divide and rule. This show of unity demonstrates they have completely failed."

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and airport operator BAA are among those supporting a shorter third runway at Heathrow.

Domestic flights 'under threat'

Those supporting expansion say Britain will suffer economically, some domestic flights will have to be axed and London will fall behind its European rivals if there is no change.

Dan Hodges, director of pro-expansion group Freedom to Fly said: "Unless ministers give the green light for new infrastructure we face an axing of domestic aviation routes that will stand comparison with Beeching's axing of rail services in the 1960s."

But some campaigners say better management of existing airports would mean they could cope with any increased demand.

Brendon Sewill, chairman of the Gatwick group, said: "The figures are quite clear: if aviation fuel - at present tax-free - was taxed at the same rate as petrol used by cars, the existing airports could cope with future demand for air travel without any new runways anywhere."