ALMOST 2,000 people have signed a petition opposing the expansion of Southampton Airport.

Campaigners will this week ask city councillors in Southampton not to back plans to extend the airport’s runway by 164 metres claiming it will affect the environment.

Members of Airport eXpansion Opposition (AXO) will present a petition signed by 1,900 people to councillors at the full council meeting set to be held on Wednesday.

Civic chiefs said they will scrutinise the plans that the airport is set to submit to Eastleigh Borough Council.

Campaigners think the plans clash with the Green City Charter that Southampton’s council launched this year to combat air pollution.

Lyn Brayshaw, a member of AXO, said:

‘Most of the points of the green city charter are contradicted by an increase in flights. We want this to be discussed at full council. If Southampton is serious about declaring a climate emergency then the airport expansion should not be on the agenda. We can’t have more flights.’

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