Greenbelt campaigners vow to campaign against Leeds Bradford Airport link road plans
Campaigners say large swathes of unspoilt greenbelt land will be seriously damaged and traffic congestion exacerbated if a proposed link road for Leeds Bradford Airport is built. They say a link route running from the A65 in Rawdon – through unspoilt green belt land – will not serve any beneficial purpose, arguing the case for building it has not been made. They are asking people to visit and sign up to saveleedsgreenbelt.com, a new website set up to protect green space around the city. Leeds City Council is working with Leeds Bradford Airport and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to take the link road proposal forward. The council says no final route has been chosen and that the issue will go out for full consultation. But campaigners are gearing up to fight the proposal. Opponents are not persuaded that the traffic implications have been worked out properly. They want the council to produce evidence to back up its claims. One of the council’s stated ambitions is to increase the use of public transport (by building another road?) and hope to eventually get a rail connection.
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Greenbelt campaigners vow to campaign against Leeds Bradford Airport link road plans
Greenbelt protestors are speaking out against a proposed link road to Leeds Bradford Airport
By Annette McIntyre (Ilkley Gazette)
30 July 2015
HUGE swathes of unspoilt greenbelt land will be seriously damaged and traffic congestion exacerbated if a proposed link road for Leeds Bradford Airport is built, according to campaigners.
Protestors say a link route running from the A65 in Rawdon will not serve any beneficial purpose, arguing the case for building it has not been made.
Now they are urging people to visit and sign up to saveleedsgrenbelt.com, a new website set up to protect green space around the city.
Leeds City Council is working with LBA and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to take the link road proposal forward.
The council has stressed no final route has been chosen and that the issue will go out for full consultation.
But campaigners are gearing up to fight the proposal.
Rawdon Greenbelt Action Group spokesman, Briony Sloan, said: “We cannot see any benefit of having a supposed ‘link road’ running from the notoriously congested A65 – opposite Rawdon Crematorium – through unspoilt greenbelt, up to the airport.
“It is of our opinion, and that of local people who have spoken to us about this, it wouldn’t serve any beneficial purpose. It would make more sense to spend the money more wisely elsewhere – improving the existing roads already leading to the airport would be a very good start.”
She added: “We’ve heard some people think it would reduce the volume of traffic through Aireborough, but how? Where is the evidence? And even if that were the case, it would probably re-direct traffic right to the most congested spot of the entire A65, that between the crematorium and Horsforth roundabout.”
Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum chairman, Jennifer Kirkby, said: “A case to support the building of this road through a large part of this greenbelt has not been made. I cannot see how the area would benefit from having this road, nor how traffic through Aireborough would be relieved.
“Can the council provide the evidence to support its purpose? This greenbelt ensures Rawdon and Horsforth both retain their own special character and individuality. Swathes of greenbelt – giving Aireborough its defining special landscape character – are under serious threat.”
She added: “A train line would seem like the most appropriate way to deal with increased traffic to the airport, if it is to expand, and if the HS2 is going ahead.”
A Leeds City Council spokesman said: “The proposed link road has been agreed as part of the West Yorkshire Transport Fund, as it’s needed to improve access alongside other improvements to shift people to public transport.
“All options are being looked at for the route, including upgrading the A65 and B6152. We want to bring about the maximum benefits for the airport and local communities in an ambitious but sustainable way. We’ll consult formally at an appropriate time and look forward to hearing a range of views.”
A report to the council’s executive committee this month described the airport as a huge asset, which supported more than 2,600 jobs and contributed in excess of £100 million to the city region economy.
As well as the proposed link road, the council and the airport are hoping to increase the use of public transport and and to pursue a longer-term ambition for a rail connection.
lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Gazette and Observer, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.
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Earlier:
Leeds Bradford airport expansion plans need 36.2 hectares of green belt land owned by Leeds Council
Expansion plans have been unveiled for Leeds Bradford Airport to enable it to bring in double the amount of passengers over the next 15 years. The proposals would see Leeds Council releasing 36.2 hectares of greenbelt land in and near to the airport. It would be used to increase the passenger terminal building and develop an airport village, including a hotel, restaurant and shops. The plans would also result in new flight destinations being introduced. Leeds Bradford airport currently handles around 3.3 million passengers per year but its forecasts show a potential to increase that to 7.1 million by 2030. The plans include an air innovation park to attract research and development companies and an air freight park for improved cargo handling. Leeds Council said releasing the council-owned land would help businesses grow and bring in new jobs and skills. Better transport connections including a new link road are also being looked at. The proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s executive board on 15 July, and if approved, they will go out to public consultation later in the year. The airport was bought from local councils in 2007 for £145.5 million. Although Bridgepoint Capital own the airport 100% financially, the councils hold a “special share” in the airport, to protect its name and continued operation as an air transport gateway for the Yorkshire region.
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Leeds Bradford still hopeful of airport rail link after Minister Robert Goodwill visits
May 2, 2014
New aviation Minister, Robert Goodwill. has visited Leeds Bradford airport and commented that a new rail link to the airport is “obviously desirable”. Mr Goodwill was at the airport for a whistle-stop tour, as part of a day of discussions with council and business leaders. One of the items to discuss was the possible improvement of road and rail links to the airport. This has been under discussion for several years. The local paper reports that “The Minister is visiting regional airports across the country in the wake of a new Government study, which has identified the six national congestion hotspots most in need of investment.” He said he could understand why the airport is so keen to get improved rail links, to ease travel. But quizzed on if and when the Government would be ready to invest in the region’s airport, he said he was “rather reluctant to put a timescale on that decision”. “We have to look at other airports and priorities as well….. There is a study ongoing and it will depend on the price tag, the deliverability and planning issues.” At present most people go to Leeds Bradford Airport by car or by taxi.
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