Exciting idea for air link

8:53am Friday 16th May 2008

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The continuing expansion of regional airports like Leeds Bradford International need not necessarily be at odds with the desire of environmental groups to see a reduction in the number of flights nationally if it leads to a redistribution of passengers rather than an overall growth in numbers.

The recent chaos at Heathrow's new Terminal 5 has made people aware that what is big is not always what is best. LBIA's commercial and aviation director Tony Hallwood is probably right when he says that regional airports are now being seen as viable alternatives to major hubs such as Heathrow. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, these airports now handle 42 per cent of UK passengers each year.

For Bradford people particularly, the increase in the number of destinations available from Yeadon is good news if it avoids the trail across the Pennines to Manchester. But Leeds Bradford International could be even more popular if it had better transport links to the two big cities it serves and the outlying towns and villages which are home to many of the business people it is hoping to attract.

The traffic survey being carried out on major routes leading to the airport will hopefully point the way to improvements which will reduce congestion and delays on the roads. However, the proposal in an Arup report for a tram-train link to the airport from the Harrogate line, which could be linked to Bradford Forster Square via Guiseley, is an exciting idea which could satisfy travellers and environmentalists alike.