It is a well-known fact, both in our constituency and beyond, that the current surface access routes to Leeds Bradford International Airport are woefully inadequate for an airport of its size. I am therefore pleased that the Department for Transport are currently conducting a long overdue assessment of how passengers using Leeds Bradford International airport travel there. This has been something I have been pushing for some time now, as I am conscious of the impact that this traffic has on roads like the A65 and the residents who live in the area.
Furthermore, most commentators expect that passenger numbers could increase considerably over the years to come, meaning it is therefore imperative that we prepare for such an increase.
The Department for Transport study into connectivity to the airport will consider a range of options. For a number of years we have known that one of those options includes talk of a link road running through the fields opposite the Crematorium and up to the airport. I believe that, rather than serve as a solution, this will instead make the situation much worse, which is why I advocate the introduction of a new rail link off the Leeds, Harrogate and Horsforth line.
In addition to the study I have been lobbying the Government on this issue for some time now and have had several meetings with Ministers, as well as discussions with both the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I was also recently able to secure a debate in Westminster Hall to discuss this issue, where I expressed my firm belief that the only real long-term solution that is in the best interests of the people who live in the area is the rail link.
A transcript of the debate can be found online using the following link:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2014-10-15a.125.0&s=speaker%3A24864#g125.4
As the report reaches its final stages, I will continue to do all I can to advocate the introduction of the rail link as I know how important this issue is to both users of the airport and to constituents who live in the area.