Sunday 7th February 2010
Residents and campaigners against the expansion of Manchester and Heathrow airports have joined forces in a show of solidarity between both places threatened by airport expansion. Around 80 people turned out for the launch of the ‘Adopt-a-Resident’ scheme on Hasty Lane which involved campaigners from across Manchester and across the country pledging to support the residents in their battle to save their houses and that if it came to it – to take direct action against the bulldozers trying to demolish their homes.
Peter Johnson and daughter Holly Johnson hosted the event in front of their house. They were joined by Tracy Howard – a resident from Sipson, as well John Stewart, Chair of AirportWatch, and activists from Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport (SEMA) coalition and Plane Stupid.
The day also involved a visit to the nearby 300 year old natural pond and home to endangered Great Crested Newts.
SEMA spokesperson Sian Jones said: “The residents aren’t alone in this – climate justice campaigners from across Manchester and the country are backing them all the way.”
Hasty Lane resident Peter Johnson said: “Together with Sipson residents, we are going to fight these irresponsible and unnecessary plans. Our local councillors all opposed the plans, but they were overruled. The council has let us down, but we’re not going to give up that easily.”
Sipson resident Tracy Howard, 35, who made the trip up north for the twinning event said: “The story of Hasty lane is a way too familiar story to ours. Local communities suffering from a big airport that is destroying our homes, our health and the climate. If a 3rd runway at Heathrow is built I face losing my home, my job and my grandmother’s grave will be dug up. This is why I have been adopted by a Plane Stupid activist as there direct action tactics could be all we have left.”
PRESS COVERAGE
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BBC Website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8502871.stm
Manchester Evening News report
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1191887_tea_party_protest_over_airport_extension_plan
Background information
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In November 2009, Manchester City Council approved plans to bulldoze
people’s homes on Hasty Lane to expand the World Freight Centre at
Manchester Airport. This overturned the decision by local councillors from the Wythenshawe Area Committee, who rejected the Airport’s plans.
Manchester Airport is one of the region’s biggest polluters (2.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually, based on departing flights only). Yet it was recently omitted from Manchester City Council’s Climate Change Action Plan ( http://www.manchesterclimate.com/)
Manchester City Council own 55% of Manchester Airports Group – which also owns Bournemouth, Humberside and Nottingham East Midlands Airport.
Manchester Airport was recently rejected from the 10:10 campaign.
http://stopmanchesterairport.blogspot.com/2009/11/manchester-airport-rejected-from-1010.html
For more information, see:
http://www.stopmanchesterairport.org.uk