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Ken Livingstone added that new runways and more planes would cause more carbon emissions, increasing the threat of catastrophic climate change.

He was speaking during a visit to Sipson village in Hillingdon, which would be bulldozed if plans for a third runway are approved.

The Mayor met Geraldine Nicholson, Chair of the No Third Runway Action Group, Linda McCutcheon from the Harmondsworth and Sipson Residents Association, John Stewart, Chair of HACAN ClearSkies and Sipson village residents during his visit.

In June 2003 the Mayor reaffirmed his opposition to the proposals to expand Heathrow in his response to the Government's consultation 'Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport'. The Government's current public consultation closes on 27 February 2008.

Livingstone called it vital that all airport expansion in London and the South East, including Heathrow is halted now as it is completely contrary to the growing evidence on the role of aviation in contributing towards catastrophic climate change.

He explained that in his view we should cut carbon emissions by using energy more efficiently, rather than more runways and plane journeys.

The Government’s own figures show air travel produces two to three times more carbon emissions than making the same trip by rail.

The Mayor claimed that expansion would have a huge impact on road congestion and pollution with more plane journeys leading to more traffic congestion and pollution from cars.

He added that many communities in London would suffer with more noise and air pollution, affecting the health, wellbeing and quality of life for millions of Londoners.

Campaigners said that the expansion of Heathrow would take much needed green space and would mean the complete destruction of Sipson village, home to over a thousand people.

"So on every test; environment, economic and quality of life, the argument for expanding Heathrow has not been made and I don’t believe it ever can. We have a duty to protect our environment not just for us, but the generations who will come after us," Livingstone concluded.

Geraldine Nicholson, Chair of the No Third Runway Action Group, said that more than 700 homes would be destroyed if the third runway at Heathrow gets the go ahead.

"The huge increase in noise and pollution will affect thousands more, not to mention the hundreds of schoolchildren who will have to go to school within a mile of the proposed runway. BAA and the Government don’t seem to care about any of this and look prepared to bulldoze over our objections. We’re determined not to let that happen," Nicholson added.

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