njr makes a very interesting point about house prices, it also ties in with one of the main issues here. One of the major concerns is the fact that this new runway will affect people currently not significantly affected by pollution from LHR. They are facing potential compulsory purchase of their properties, or if not the very real potential of significant disturbance.
As usual with these issues we have the head in the sand attitude of 'don't live/buy near an airport if you don't like the noise' etc. Interestingly none of those correspondants are able or bother to define 'near'. Having worked on environmental issues you would be surprised just how far away 'near' is for some one affected by these issues. A large amount of the housing near the airport is still council owned, hence the income for some of those families may be well below the national average, (about £23k I believe), so how would some one, lets say single parent shop assistant, afford to move?, or an OAP, or someone unemployed, not quite so clear cut is it?. Just because these people don't work in our industry does not give us the right to blight their living conditions. The T5 enquiry was fairly robust in not requiring a third runway, less than a couple of years after, its now allegedly on the cards, so no big surprise about the local reaction.
The poster gives me no real problem, you have to remember that it is a tool being used by protestors with a very limited budget, it has to be instantly memorable, if its in questionable taste so much the better, you'll remember it then!, compare it to those Benetton ads a while ago if you like, and finally has to be easy to produce in large number for fly posting etc. It gets your attention which is its prime aim, don't get carried away with the 9/11 connection, because you're looking for something that isn't there.
The planned road blockage would be effective we all know that, but ironically would strengthen the case for STN, with its least worst option for expansion, I wonder if CASE have thought of that affect?, doubt it!.
Finally for all you 'move then' proponents, try looking through the other end of the telescope and try to imagine this:
In your local paper next week you read that there is to be a industrial waste incineration plant constructed 1 km down wind of your current house, that you've paid for and love, good schools, nice community, are you going to upsticks and move?, or are you going to be a NIMBY?