Tories warn firms off Heathrow

The Conservatives say their proposal is a 'green decision'

The Conservative Party has warned firms not to get involved in any plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The Tories warned they would stop expansion of the west London airport if they won power at the general election.

"Anyone getting involved in any contract for a third runway should be very, very careful," said shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers.

Meanwhile, women activists gathered in Parliament Square to voice their opposition against Heathrow expansion.

High-speed rail

In a briefing to transport correspondents Ms Villiers said: "We will not consider ourselves bound by any decision taken by this government.

The Tories are on the wrong side of the argument with business and with the travelling public Geoff Hoon, Transport Secretary

People involved with contracts should be warned - we will stop a third runway going ahead."

Last month at the Conservative Party conference, Ms Villiers announced that the Tories would scrap plans for Heathrow expansion.

The party has proposed a high-speed rail line linking London St Pancras, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

They say it would cut Heathrow flights by 66,000 a year, or 30% of the planned capacity of the third runway.

The Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "British business will be concerned about what we've heard from Theresa Villiers today.

"The Tories are on the wrong side of the argument with business and with the travelling public."

Members of the lobby group We Can held a rally outside Parliament to mark the 100th anniversary of the Suffragettes' demonstration which called for women's right to vote.

Nadine Grieve, the group's spokeswoman said: "The most pressing issue facing us now is the future of the planet and climate change.

"Women need to stand together to press the government to take concerted cross party action because we can't tackle this on our own."

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