Ten Labour backbenchers have signed a Commons motion calling for the third runway plan at Heathrow to be scrapped.

Others are known to share their views and more Labour MPs, including those from London and the south-east, are also expected to sign.

The motion urged the Government to rethink its plans for a third runway at Heathrow and to give full consideration to alternative solutions.

It regrets the Government's heavy reliance on data supplied by the British Airports Authority (BAA) in assessing the case for expansion and notes the likely forthcoming break up of BAA's ownership of three of London's airports following the investigation by the Competition Committee.

It also said it believed the consultation paper, Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport, was deeply flawed, as it paid insufficient regard to the costs of air and noise pollution in the surrounding areas and the commitment to curb carbon dioxide emissions to tackle climate change.

It regretted the fact that provisions to improve high speed rail lines from Heathrow to major cities have not been fully explored, along with the potential of other UK airports to handle more long-haul flights; and urged the Government to initiate a consultation on a new national planning policy statement on the theme of airports and high-speed rail.

John Stewart, chairman of the campaign group Hacan, said: “Most MPs are now probably against Heathrow expansion. Gordon Brown should listen to the voice of Parliament and scrap the expansion proposals.”

The Government is expected to make a decision on Heathrow before the end of the year.

  • The MPs who signed the motion were John Grogan, David Drew, David Taylor, Theresa Villiers, Robert Goodwill, Norman Baker, Bob Russell, Alan Simpson, Lynne Jones, Andrew Mackinlay, Martin Caton, Colin Challen, Jim Cousins, Martin Horwood, Susan Kramer, John Leech, Linda Riordan, Lee Scott and Jenny Willott.