Back Heathrow campaigners today delivered a defiant message to Hillingdon councillors – the local community supports the building of a new runway at Heathrow airport and the council should back the project rather than spend scarce taxpayers’ money opposing it.

They delivered over 1,500 signed campaign cards to the Civic Centre on Thursday morning ­spanning Hillingdon’s 22 wards. The campaign cards declare support for a new runway and urge councillors to end the spending of taxpayers’ money to oppose the project, which is set to create 180,000 unionised jobs.

The council has spent over £1m opposing expansion over the last decade and has recently committed another £413,000 of taxpayers’ money. The council is also consulting on the first council tax hike in a decade.

Back Heathrow local campaigner Rose-Marie Welsh from Ickenham said: “I really think it’s time our council started listening to us. I know many people who share my view and who would like to see Heathrow grow. We may be a silent majority, but its time our voice was heard and acknowledged by local councillors." (Rose-Marie is 6th from the right in the photograph, hand on banner).

Amit Gupta, an accountant from Botwell in Hayes said: "My local councillors need to understand that there is more than one view on this issue. We feel let down and ignored. Hayes needs jobs." (Amit is far left in the photograph).