Hundreds march against airport plan

Runway 'Ramblers' take part in the protest

Nearly 2,000 protestors have been holding a demonstration against plans to expand Stansted Airport in Essex.

The "Runway Ramble" was organised by the group - Stop Stansted Expansion - which is campaigning against the proposed building of three extra runways at the airport.

The protestors converged at the 400-year-old gardens of Easton Lodge, near Great Dunmow, for what was billed as the Runway Ramble.

The Department for Transport's South East Regional Airport Study claims the extra runways are vital for coping with ever-increasing air traffic into and out of the UK.

It will change the whole character of the area

Alan Dean
Protestor

Mike Fairchild, spokesman for the campaign, said: "We need to think of something twice the size of Heathrow being dropped on to Stansted.

"We want no additional runways.

"We think that what the government should be doing is looking at better management of existing airport capacity across the country by improving transport.

Passenger numbers

It should look at other ways to increase the capacity."

The campaigners claim up to one million people in 70 towns and villages will be affected by increased noise.

Another member of the campaign, Alan Dean, claimed the expansion plan would increase the number of passengers using Stansted from 15m to 230m a year.

"People are angry that the government intends to destroy villages and established communities," he said.

"It will change the whole character of the area."