West London residents halt traffic outside DfT Headquarters

June 20th 2007 - West London residents protesting about plans to expand Heathrow dramatically stopped traffic this morning outside the Department for Transport (DfT) offices in Central London before attempting an invasion of the building.

The protestors carried a bed along Marsham Street from the flat of BAA Chief Executive Stephen Nelson to the Department for Transport. In the bed were two figures symbolising the close relationship between BAA and the DfT under the slogan "DfT in bed with BAA".

As they crossed Marsham Street a dozen residents halted the traffic when they painted a runway on the road. The residents, assisted by the direct action network Plane Stupid, then left the bed outside the DfT offices.

The action follows the revelation that the Department for Transport had secretly passed key information supporting expansion of Heathrow to BAA six months before it is due to be published.

Earlier in the year, on March 5th, West London residents invaded Chatham House and disrupted a speech by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander.

Long-time West London resident Dr John Hunt and member of the Green Party said, "This action is to expose the unhealthily close relationship there is between BAA Ferrovial and the Department for Transport. While BAA and the Department plot and plan the expansion of Heathrow, residents and local authorities are left in the dark."

Maggie Thorburn, a long-time West London resident, said, "Although I live under the flight path and am affected by the noise of the planes, I took part in today’s action not just because of the increased noise levels I would experience if expansion went ahead, but also because I firmly believe that any further expansion at Heathrow should be ruled out on climate change grounds."