Activists went on to the runway at Southend Airport in Essex shortly after 9am
on Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: “Sixteen people gained entry to Southend
Airport. We were deployed very quickly and have arrested them all, and they are
in custody.”
Some managed to get on to the runway, she added.
Campaigners said the demonstration was against the planned expansion of the airport.
A spokeswoman for the protesters said: “Southend Council say the expansion will
bring jobs. But investment in renewable energy would create many more jobs without
damaging the climate. What we need is solar power not plane power.
“The bigger runway is bad for climate change, bad for local residents under the
flight path and is not needed to help the local economy.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/10/29/southend-airport-sixteen-_n_1064977.html?1319883348
Protestors On Runway At Southend Airport
29th October 2011, 10:20
Essex Police say 16 people have been arrested after protestors gained access
to Southend Airport.
Officers were called shortly after 9am today (Saturday 29 October) after some
managed to get on to the runway.
A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: “Sixteen people gained entry to Southend
Airport. We were deployed very quickly and have arrested them all, and they are
in custody.”
Campaigners said the demonstration was against the planned expansion of the airport.
A spokeswoman for the protesters said: “Southend Council say the expansion will
bring jobs. But investment in renewable energy would create many more jobs without
damaging the climate. What we need is solar power not plane power.
“The bigger runway is bad for climate change, bad for local residents under the
flight path and is not needed to help the local economy.”
Southend Airport has issued the following statement: “Essex police were called
to London Southend airport following a report of suspicious activity at the airport
perimeter.
“Police swiftly dealt with a breach in the airport perimeter and a number of
people were arrested.
“The runway was closed for a short period whilst the police responded but no
flights were impacted by this event.”
http://www.heart.co.uk/essex/news/local/protestors-storm-runway-southend-airport/
16 arrested after airport protest [15, not 16]
(UKPA) 29.10.2011
Sixteen people have been arrested after a protest at an airport, police said.
Activists went on to the runway at Southend Airport in Essex shortly after 9am
on Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: “Sixteen people gained entry to Southend
Airport. We were deployed very quickly and have arrested them all, and they are
in custody.”
Some managed to get on to the runway, she added.
Campaigners said the demonstration was against the planned expansion of the airport.
A spokeswoman for the protesters said: “Southend Council say the expansion will
bring jobs. But investment in renewable energy would create many more jobs without
damaging the climate. What we need is solar power not plane power.
“The bigger runway is bad for climate change, bad for local residents under the
flight path and is not needed to help the local economy.”
A spokeswoman for the airport said later: “Earlier this morning Essex Police
were called to London Southend Airport following a report of suspicious activity
at the airport perimeter.
“Police swiftly dealt with a breach in the airport perimeter and a number of
people were arrested.
“The runway was closed for a short period whilst the police responded. No flights
were impacted by this event.”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jSJ0PtpT3Ot13P5nKU_5vVfrlTZA?docId=N0343301319879438537A
30 October 2011 Last updated at 10:48 (BBC)
Southend Airport runway protesters given police bail
Fifteen climate change activists arrested at London Southend Airport have been
released on bail.
Members of Plane Stupid and Climate Rush entered the airport at 09:00 BST on
Saturday and were arrested by Essex police officers.
They had planned to put solar panels on the runway and perform a dance routine
dressed as pilots and cabin crew.
The five men and 10 women have been released on police bail until 30 November.
They were being held on suspicion of entering a restricted zone at an airport
and aggravated trespass.
‘Solar power needed’
The airport wants to extend its runway by 300m (984ft) to allow larger passenger
aircraft to be used.
The Stobart Group, which owns the airport, aims to have two million passengers
a year passing through its terminal, by 2020.
In a statement before the arrests, a spokeswoman for the protesters said: “Southend
Council say the expansion will bring jobs.
“But investment in renewable energy would create many more jobs without damaging
the climate.
“What we need is solar power, not plane power.”
An airport spokeswoman said the runway had been closed for a “short period” while
police dealt with the situation but no flights had been affected.
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