Future Infrastructure Developments

[lbaspotter]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Good Idea LS16.

I may even be able to host something like that on my website. But I'll have to get Aviador (The moderator) to allow me to mention my site on here first.

And if you got any ideas as to what could be included, then please let me know as i dont know where to start. But with my site and this site combining together along with other groups of supporters around LBA I'm sure we could get something going.

It up to you guys now.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

lbaspotter, I've sent you a PM with a link that may be helpful with some ideas.

 

[User0001]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I'm happy to write some text, outlining the arguments for development. There are some websites that are set-up for petitions, including the 10 downing street website. Anything more than 200 signatures and it gets seen by the PM's office.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I'm up for it but whatever we do it must look professional.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

LBIA desperately needs development to keep Yorkshire competitive . Guess the Council position is correct but I do hope they are constructively working with the owners on a solution.

Mike Firth

At last some sense from Leeds City members. It is clear that for the airport to work a great deal of investment needs to be made into the local transport infrastructure. The whole site is such a mess, and a contribution of 1 million pounds to improve the situation is complete nonsense, as the Chairman of Bridgepoint is well aware. Hopefully the local politicians will stand their ground here, and also connect the rapid transport system into the mix. Yorkshire Forward needs to lead on this one, as the area struggles with less than modest International aviation facilities, but again they stay below the radar. Memories of the famous thoughts of a Bradford Council member, on the Airport board, who thought a bridge would be better over the runway than a tunnel under it.

David Scougall

Surely the best way forward is to divert the Leeds-Harrogate rail route via the old track bed through Wetherby and Spofforth so creating a new commuter route; axing the present Leeds Harrogate line through Weeton and using its first stretch (Leeds - Burley Park- Headingley-Horsforth) as the start of the 'supertram' extended to the Airport

Andrew Batty

However bad the decision may seem at this point in time there has to be a point at which the long term future is plotted and as we cannot go back in time that point must be now...short term pain, long term gain!!!

Martin Davies

I agree with Malcolm, Transport infrastructure such as this is for Government to provide to allow busines to function and provide jobs.

Tim Reeve

I agree. The council actually commissioned plans for a bigger terminal as part of the sale process, showing prospective buyers how the existing layout + small extension could be transformed into a bigger and more useable space. This was late 2006 / early 2007 and so the fact the new owners have indeed put a planning application in to build the extension should hardly be a surprise to the council and the planning committee. If this has been on the table for 2 years, why have they not been able to use this time to be more specific with the owners about exactly what they would want to see in relation to transport improvements as and when certain passenger levels are reached? I'm afraid we do have this habit in Leeds of being unable to progress major transport developments, be it public or private led and perhaps this shows why?

Marcus Mitchell

If the Council feel so strongly about improving public transport access to LBIA how come they didn't do anything about it during all the years they part owned it ? This will delay the current plans and much needed employment. A poor decision

.

These were replies on the Business Desk website.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I posted this else where just in case anyone reading this has deja vu...

If the planning authorities simply looked at the government White Paper they would know that the majority of traffic that uses the A658 and the A65 is local traffic not related in any way to the airport. The Dft made it clear in the document that improved road access was essential because the roads were already busy with this non airport related traffic. The bottom line is that Leeds City Council keep approving planning applications for housing developments at places like Kirkstall Forge which has approval for 1385 homes, 560 homes were approved at Menston Highroyds. Then there's the Guiseley White Cross scheme and the Guiseley Crompton Lighting factory site which has recently gained planning permission, yet they haven't made any real provision for the extra traffic, it's no wonder the roads are busy.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

What seems like a balanced article in today's YEP which backs my claim that traffic using the airport bears little impact on the local roads stating that even with the proposed increase in airport traffic to 5m by 2015, the airport will still only account for between 1 and 10 percent of local road journeys.

Waiting for clearance


Protestors outside Leeds Civic Hall before the planning committee meeting that will discuss plans for the further expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport.

The plans to extend its terminal building point to a big future for the fast-growing Leeds-Bradford Airport, but one that's not without its controversy.

ON paper, the application put before Leeds City Council's planning committee seemed innocuous enough.
Bridgepoint, the new owners of Leeds-Bradford International Airport, were seeking permission to invest £70 million over the next five years in an upgrading of the airport building.

Blaming passenger delays and congestion on the existing terminal's outdated design and layout, their aim is to build a two-storey extension in order to improve facilities and create more space for travellers.
Yet the proposals have sparked fresh debate over the airport's longer-term expansion, with some questioning whether the site and the infrastructure surrounding it can accommodate passenger numbers which could soon top five million a year.

The council, having received letters of objection from hundreds of residents living near the Yeadon site along with local MPs and environmental campaigners, has deferred a decision on the application for at least a month.

Opposition to the expansion centres on transport links to the airport which many deem to be currently inadequate, although the increase in the number of planes flying overhead and the rise in CO2 emissions from car and air traffic are also factors arousing concern; green campaigners are due to stage a 'picnic protest' at the airport tomorrow lunchtime.

In a bid to tackle the transport issue, the airport's owners have pledged to invest more than £2 million in road improvement schemes along with cash to support bus services to and from the site.

They have also agreed to hand over any land necessary for the installation of a new tram-train link to and from Leeds, which could also run to Harrogate and York.

The possibility of creating a road link from the A6120 ring road has also been mooted in the airport's masterplan, which looks at possible development of the site up to 2016.

Dropped
However, this last idea was omitted from the application to the council, leading some residents to worry that it has been dropped.

David Cooper, who lives on the A658 Harrogate Road in Yeadon, the main route into the airport, is among those who have raised concerns about the airport's expansion plans.

His objections centre on the lack of a major road route into the site.

"If I look down the road sometimes I can see a mile of traffic," he said. "At the moment there is a four-mile stretch of residential road that passes schools, shops and homes.

"I use the airport both as a holidaymaker and businessman and can fully understand the cultural and economic arguments in its favour, but the planners need to open their eyes."
Mr Cooper has carried out his own research and has found that, of the 27 regional and international airports in the UK, 20 have direct access to a motorway or dual carriageway.

If Leeds-Bradford achieves its goal of attracting five million travellers a year he can only see misery for motorists – both those trying to get to the airport and those who have to use the roads surrounding the site.
"The airport talks about putting money into bus services but who wants to haul 20 kilo suitcases on to a bus?

"The fact is that most people go to the airport in a car – whether it be their own, someone giving them a lift, or a taxi.

"My gut feeling is that the only answer is putting in a road link to the ring road. If they did that I would have no problem whatsoever with the expansion."

Airport chiefs say they recognise that access needs to be improved and are committed to working with the council and Metro to address it.

However, their emphasis is on encouraging more people to travel to the Yeadon site by public transport. The goal is for 10 per cent of passengers to be accessing the airport by bus or rail by 2012.

The airport has committed money to fund junction improvements to ease pressure on routes into the site but points to research that indicates its impact on traffic levels is minimal.

It commissioned a study which concluded that even when passenger numbers climb from their current 2.85 million to reach five million, a figure expected to be achieved by 2012, airport traffic will still only account for between one and 11 per cent of traffic at road junctions near the site.

In terms of a road link to the ring road, the airport's line is that such a measure would be up to the Department of Transport to decide. The results of the traffic survey seem to indicate it would not be required – although local residents may well disagree.

Tony Hallwood, the airport's commercial and aviation development director, is keen to emphasise the benefits a bigger Leeds-Bradford can bring to Leeds and the region as a whole.

"Our airport development in the construction phase will be creating investment and jobs in the region.
"Once finished it will bring more airlines, more routes and better business connectivity. That will raise the profile of Leeds, attract more visitors and bring in more money.

"It will also safeguard jobs. We have over 2,000 jobs at the airport and another 2,000 will be created based on us reaching five million passengers a year."

Currently, more than three million people from Yorkshire fly from Manchester Airport each year rather than using Leeds-Bradford.

This can be explained to some degree by the wider choice of destinations available across the Pennines, but the perception that it is easy to get to Manchester also plays a part.

However Tony, who lives in Manchester, believes terminal improvements, coupled with lengthening journey times due to increased congestion on the M62, will help plug this leak.

"My own view would be: Do I want to take a car journey from Leeds to Manchester that will take me between an hour-and-a-quarter to an hour-and-three-quarters? Or one to Leeds-Bradford that will take 30 to 45 minutes?

"We are Leeds's international airport and we want to make sure we give a whole package of reasons why people should be flying from Leeds and not Manchester."

The direct train link from Leeds rail station to Manchester Airport and its 80-minute journey time is undoubtedly a major factor in luring travellers away from their local airport.

To this end, Metro, the body that oversees public transport in West Yorkshire, is looking into the feasibility of a tram-train system, where trams run on mainline train tracks.

Operating on the existing Harrogate line, this electric or electric-diesel powered service would run from a station possibly located in City Square in the centre of Leeds and could have stops at Kirkstall Road, Burley Park, Headingley and Horsforth, with a new spur created to drop passengers outside the airport.

It is envisaged that services would run every 10 minutes, with capacity for up to 240 passengers on each. The estimated cost of setting up the service would be at least £25 million and would rely on Government funding to get off the ground.

However, ministers have yet to decide whether or not to back the tram-train concept and a two-year trial on the Penistone line between Huddersfield and Sheffield won't begin until 2011, meaning the earliest a service could be operating to Leeds-Bradford is 2015.

But for the moment such plans are on hold, as all eyes now turn to Leeds City Council's West Plans panel.
It is the panel's members who will meet – at a date to be decided – to run the rule on the proposed terminal extension. And it is their decision that will go a long way to determining the future of Leeds-Bradford International Airport.

Note that tree huggers will be onsite tomorrow if anyone fancy's a custard pie throwing contest?

 

[Pat]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

bigman wrote ...... And as for roads, my radical proposal would be to extend the M65 from Burnley, over past Skipton, Ilkley, Menston, Airport, Eccup to join the A1M, thus creating a whole new transpennine motorway, not to mention a motrway on the airport's doorstep. This would also act as a major bypass for the drastically overcrowded A65, and relieve major traffic problems in both Airedale and Wharfedale.

I think part of this route was once planned and part built but it was called the aire valley motorway the M606 was to be part of it which is why there is a large roundabout at the Bankfoot end of the M606 but it was dropped and Bradford was left with a white elephant roundabout

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I remember when Ilkley rejected it's plans for a bypass, the BBC said that it would pave the way for an extension of the M65 making it a new East - West motorway linking to the A1(M) They highlighted all the usual environmental concerns, but said little about the huge benefits the road would bring to Leeds especially.

 

[User0001]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

i've not seen two of these pictures before http://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/passengerinformation-airportdevelopment.php don't know if i've done this right ,if not you now where to find them.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Thanks for that Tallguy. Those are new releases because the old renders will still on there two weeks ago when I last looked.

I'm impressed with the new look now I've had chance to have a good look at them.

It's nice to see some shiny floor tiles in the new renders as opposed to the dirty nasty looking PVC flooring that they have at the moment.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

These are the pics they showed us at the last Consultative Committe Aviador. Even last week they were showing the old ones on TV. The new design is much better in my view. It just makes me more mad than ever that the development has been deferred.

Talking roads, some may remember that (in the late 70's I think) the Government, no doubt spurred on by the local authority objections, turned down the proposed Pudsey - Dishforth Motorway, which would link the M606 at Bradford, and head via Pudsey, Horsorth, THE AIRPORT!!!, Pool, the Wharfe Valley and from there via the route of the Harrogate by-pass which was really the only part of the plan that was built (although obviously downgraded to an A Road). Had this plan gone ahead, none of these problems we now have would have arisen, although admittedly, the whole area would have looked somewhat different.

Yet another example of the Government overlooking the needs of this region? In case anyone is wondering, the plan was substituted with the current set up whereby the M1 was extended to join the A1 and travellers have to come off the M62 at Rothwell and join the M1 through to its A1 junction. It has less of an environmental impact, but is no use at all to the Airport!

 

[User0001]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Here are the offical minutes from the Council planning meeting

179 Application 08/06944/FU - Two Storey extension to Main Airport Terminal
Building to provide new entrance and improved internal facilities with
associated landscaping works to the Terminal Building Forecourt at
Leeds & Bradford Airport, Whitehouse Lane, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7TU
The Panel considered a report by the Chief Planning Officer on proposals for
a two storey extension to the existing terminal building at Leeds/Bradford
International Airport (LBIA). The Panel had previously received and
commented on a position statement relating to the proposals at the meeting
held 19th February 2009 (minute 151 refers). Site plans, floor plans, drawings
showing the elevations and photographs were displayed at the meeting.
The Head of Planning Services briefly introduced the application and recalled
a previous site visit and pre-application presentation at LBIA on 13 November
2008. He outlined 3 key issues for the Panel to consider as:
• whether the principle of development was acceptable;
• the design
• and surface access/highways
It was noted that the Panel had generally accepted the principle of the
development at the meeting on 19 February 2009.
Members heard from the planning case officer who outlined the reasoning
behind the application which would provide a new entrance and foyer,
improved internal facilities for passengers, address access issues and provide
landscaping. The Panel then heard from the Design Officer who displayed
architects perspectives of the proposals and explained the design rationale.
Officers reported receipt of late letters of representation from Mr P Truswell
MP, Mr G Mulholland MP and Friends of the Earth and reported their content.
A letter had also been submitted by Aireborough Civic Society. 358 individual
letters concerning airport growth, 309 letters regarding the lack of a public
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting
to be held on Thursday, 14th May, 2009
hackney carriage rank, 18 individual letters of support and 10 letters of
support from organisations/businesses had also been received.
The Panel noted that £28m investment would be made into LBIA as a result of
this development. In terms of this application the Panel were advised to have
regard to the Development Plan context set by the Regional Spatial Strategy
(RSS) and the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - appendix 2 had been tabled
at the meeting setting out the full wording of RSS Policy T6 with supporting
text. This application was being promoted to deal with existing operational
issues at the airport but could enable growth in passenger numbers to be
handled at the terminal.
Officers went through in detail the revised proposed financial contributions on
offer from the airport for inclusion in the Section 106 agreement:
- £228k annually to support bus services until LBIA reached £5m
passengers per annum (mppa) OR until a 10% modal shift in transport
was achieved (currently only 6% travel to the airport by bus). The
routes would include the Leeds/Harrogate/Bradford routes. If the
supported routes became commercially viable the fund would be used
elsewhere and the payment would be continued should the modal split
drop below 10% up to 5 mppa
- Contribution not exceeding £50k to reinstate the York bus link in
conjunction with York City Council and North Yorkshire County Council
- 2 further funding pots of £500k each:
o One towards highways/transport improvements to be triggered
when LBIA achieved 3.8m passengers per year. Payments to be
managed in conjunction with an Airport Transport Forum to be
established.
o One to support operation of bus services when passenger
numbers rise above 3.8 m and up to 5 m.
- financial contribution to undertake annual forecourt surveys, monitor
the implementation of the Travel Plan and meet the costs of monitoring
vehicles accessing and leaving the airport
- release land to LCC (in the medium to long term) for the tram scheme
at nominal cost
- commit to update the Master Plan and Surface Access Strategy in
2011
- to publicise the bus options
- to provide travel plan measures for staff and implement real time
information on the forecourt and within the building
Furthermore the application secured a robust mechanism for the
implementation of the various commitments with agreed trigger points through
an Annual Review which would be looked at by the Airport Transport Forum
and be tied into the Section 106 Legal Agreement. The Forum would consider
passenger numbers; traffic generation and modal split looking at the trigger
points in order to identify when funds should be released.
The Panel then heard representation in opposition to the scheme from the
following:
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting
to be held on Thursday, 14th May, 2009
Mr Cooper – a local resident voicing concerns over highway access to the
airport, congestion and impact on the locality
Mr C Woods – Aireborough Civic Society voicing concerns regarding
increased flight movements and associated noise pollution and seeking a
restriction in the number of light aircraft flights, control of circular flights and
encouraging flight routes away from residential areas
Mr Q Cooper – Hackney Carriage Trade representative seeking the
reinstatement of a hackney carriage stand at the airport in order to improve
public access and provide choice of transport
Mr M Utting – Leeds Joint Trade Council for Hackney Carriages seeking
consideration of provision of a hackney carriage stand, particularly having
regard to the needs of disabled passengers
Mr A Rae – Friends of the Earth particularly concerned over the expansion of
the airport and long term effect on highways, CO2 emissions and additional
noise. Mr Rae also sought the submission of a Sustainability Appraisal which
was considered necessary under Policy T6 of the RSS, a more credible
surface access review and a limit on the number of flights
It should be noted the Panel varied procedure in order to allow all the
objectors a total of 10 minutes in which to make their representations. 10
minutes was then afforded to Mr Lapworth on behalf of Leeds and Bradford
Airport who addressed the concerns raised by the objectors and outlined the
improvements the application would bring to the airport, the benefits of the
scheme to the region, consultation undertaken and the transport package
associated with the scheme.
The Panel considered that the design of the building and layout had improved
and was now acceptable. The main concerns discussed centred around the
impact of growth on the surrounding area and particularly the highway impact
and proposals for public transport. Members discussed several main issues,
making suggestions for consideration and requesting further information as
appropriate:
Government White Paper
• Noted the 8.2m passengers quoted in the Airport Master Plan in 2006
was above the 7m quoted in the Government White Paper, and that
although the economy was experiencing a downturn there was still a
demand for air travel which was currently being met by other airports.
• The Airport Master Plan had included projected passenger numbers –
up to 5m during Phase 1 and up to 8m during Phase 2.
• The Master Plan would be reviewed in 2011 with full consultation
• Whether a sustainability appraisal should be submitted at this stage
Surface access
• Public access should be maximised. The application must be viewed
holistically in this respect to include the highways network; car users;
bus travel and hackney carriage/private hire access.
• Members suggested a specified area should be designated for
“meeters and greeters” which is easy and convenient to use particularly
for disabled travellers
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting
to be held on Thursday, 14th May, 2009
• Members considered that the present issues highlighted by the
hackney carriage representatives should be addressed as part of the
application with a pick up/drop off point close to the terminal
• Clarity required on how the additional 1.2 million passengers (to 5
mppa from 3.8m) would be managed in terms of highways and
transport
• Ongoing monitoring of the use of public transport should be undertaken
by LCC, METRO and First Bus as well as LBIA
Public Transport
• Further consideration needs to be given, and set out, of different
methods of transport to/from the airport and particularly the public
transport infrastructure links to/from the airport with the rest of the
Yorkshire region
• It was recognised that there were difficulties with the location and no
dedicated train link – it was noted that work on tram-train was ongoing
and the airport was a key stakeholder but not wholly responsible for the
implementation of the scheme. Such a scheme involving a train link
was important but could not be delivered as part of this application
• Reliance on bus travel for business and family holidays was not
realistic
• It was important to ensure all bus routes linking to the airport were
maximised and carefully managed with funding targeted appropriately
with all possible funding partners
• Ideas given for consideration included implementing new designated
bus stops for the airport, establishment of a remote checking facility at
Leeds City railway Station/bus terminus and provision of a red route
Highway Impact
• Members requested additional information about the traffic impact on
the junctions around the airport but also on the wider network including
the A647 and A65 and the Horsforth, Rodley and Greengates
roundabouts
• Details of projected increase in road users and impact on highways
and any proposals for works to address problems
Consultation
• The significance of the airport to the whole region could not be
overstated and Panel felt that neighbouring local authorities should be
made aware of the plans and given the opportunity to provide
comments
• To ensure appropriate bodies such as Yorkshire Forward are also
involved in the consultation
The Panel sought clarity on the trigger points for release of funding and the
mechanisms in place to ensure the funding is released at the appropriate time
for the right measures. Overall Members were not yet convinced by the
mechanisms in place or the detail of the proposals to allow the development
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting
to be held on Thursday, 14th May, 2009
to proceed. Members were concerned that passenger figures would increase
and the transport infrastructure may not be in place to deal with the impact.
RESOLVED - That determination of the application be deferred and officers
be requested to further discuss the matters described above with the
applicant. The application will be presented back to the Panel at the next
appropriate meeting

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Which is likely to be on the 11th June.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Hi

I have posted below a (rather long but nonetheless entirely relevant) letter which has been issued by the Airport Support Group to the chair of the Leeds West Planning Committee, regarding the terminal development. Just thought you might be interested to see what we have said.

I will post it also on the Airport Support Group web site as soon as I can get in and registered etc. At the moment I can't get in.

Heather






Dear Cllr Campbell



Re: Leeds Bradford Airport - Planning application for the development of the terminal (Ref 08/06944)



We write to you with regard to the application by Leeds Bradford International Airport to develop the terminal building, which was recently deferred by the Leeds West Planning Committee. We do so as individual Leeds rate payers, but also as founders of the Leeds Bradford Airport Support Group, which has served on the Airport Consultative Committee since 1987. The Support Group represents the public who fully support the development of their local airport. We have previously shown that this is a considerable majority, even within the areas local to the airport itself, and in 1994 we were able to demonstrate the extent of this support by submitting over 14,000 letters of support to Leeds Planning Department with regard to the application to remove night flying restrictions (against around 4,000 letters of objection).

We are aware of the reasons given for deferring the terminal development application, and we find this decision illogical and unreasonable, particularly during the present economic downturn. Leeds City Council operated Leeds Bradford Airport for almost 50 years in conjunction with the other local councils, and in that time did little to enhance either public transport links to the airport, or the local road network.

When the controlling Councils decided to sell the airport, one reason given for doing so was that the airport required capital investment and re-development which the local authorities could not possibly afford. Bridgepoint Capital paid a record amount for a regional airport and stated at that time that they intended to invest £70m over 5 years into the development of the airport. Leeds City Council happily accepted their share of the purchase monies and the proposed developments were greeted as being great news for the airport and the Leeds City Region.

Since taking over the airport, Bridgepoint have spent considerable amounts of money developing the car parks and approaches to the airport, in readiness for the development of the terminal. Since submitting the planning application, Bridgepoint have worked in conjunction with the Planning Officer, to ensure all planning requirements are covered, and to ensure a successful application. The Planning Officer was clearly content with the proposals, which included the airport's proposals for funding bus services and road development schemes as and when the passenger numbers increased over the coming years. Indeed, he recommended approval of the application, yet, Leeds West Planning Committee has seen fit to ignore that recommendation and defer the application on the grounds that there is insufficient detail about the airport's proposals to get more passengers on to public transport and to how they intend to prevent the local roads from choking up as passenger numbers increase.

Given the previous inactivity by Leeds Council regarding both issues, the reasons given for this deferral are unreasonable, unacceptable and immoral. There is existing evidence that proves that only a relatively small percentage of traffic travelling along the A658 and surrounding roads are actually travelling to, or from, the airport. Bridgepoint Capital should not be asked to do now, what the City Council failed to do consistently over many years. The very idea that Bridgepoint can do more than they are to encourage more buses at the present time is rediculous. To justify more bus services, more passengers are required at the airport, and to achieve that, more aviation services are needed, for which the new terminal development is a necessity. There are already plans for a tram train link which you are well aware of, but when (or whether) this happens it not entirely within the remit of Bridgepoint Capital. There are clearly more players involved such as Metro and possibly Central Government. As for new roads these have been on the agenda for years, but you know only too well that it is a long process to build them particularly with issues such as compulsory purchase orders to address. Again, it is not within the remit of Bridgepoint to provide new roads without considerable input from Leeds City Council themselves.

Regular passengers through the airport know only too well that it is a poorly designed, illogically laid out, mess, comprising various add-ons over the years. It is looking tired inside and out, attracts a lot of negative feedback from passengers, gives a poor impression of the City of Leeds, and badly needs modernising to cope with even the current passenger numbers. Clearly, any terminal development has to be capable of handling a passenger increase in the future, so inevitably it will also be seen as 'encouraging' more flights and more passengers. So it should! There is no doubt that a successful airport brings with it a successful region and City. We have suffered for years as a result of the failure of the Council to support the development of the airport through the 1970's and 1980's and only the removal of the night flying restrictions in 1994 enabled the airport to begin to compete with any equality. Unless this terminal development is approved now, Leeds Bradford Intenational Airport will once again find itself unable to compete on a level playing field with other regional airports, and the result of that will be harmful to the City of Leeds and the Leeds City Region as a whole.

Organisations such as Friends of the Earth oppose all airport developments on the grounds of environmental damage. They claim that the growth of Leeds Bradford will add to pollution and global warming. They fail to address the key issue that far more harm is done by the huge amount of CO2 emissions arising from two thirds of all air passengers from this region travelling by car to other airports, in particular Manchester. Whether aircraft operate from Manchester, East Midlands, or Leeds, the amount of atmospheric CO2 emissions by the aircraft will be the same. The only way that carbon emissions can be cut is to reduce the amount of travel between regions in order to catch flights.

It is the policy of Central Government and Leeds City Council to develop the airport. The Leeds West Planning Committee appears to have been side-tracked by issues which should not have been part of the process - particularly issues relating to Global Warming (which is not even a planning issue) and Taxi drivers who have their own agenda. This is an application which should have been approved, because it has been accepted that the terminal development is a necessity, and the design proposed has been accepted as appropriate. The development will enable passengers using the airport to have a far more comfortable transition through the terminal, giving a good first impression of the City. It will in time allow the growth of the airport, which will bring about significant job opportunities at the airport itself and in airport/aviation related services. It will also ensure that the Leeds City Region is able to compete with the likes of Greater Manchester in the future in terms of business and leisure development. The recent development of Doncaster Sheffield Airport also poses a threat to Leeds - and there is no doubt that the South Yorkshire region will do all it can to entice aviation services and the benefits they bring, away from this region and into theirs. That cannot be allowed to happen through the failure to allow airport development here.

An increase in terminal passengers at Leeds Bradford will in turn bring additional Airport funding to be allocated to improving roads around the airport and enabling better public transport links, including the tram train. It is essential that Leeds City Council, together with Metro, Yorkshire Forward and the local Chambers of Commerce work together to promote not only the airport itself, but to ensure that all methods of access to the airport are enhanced in the near future. Whilst this action is taken, the terminal and other developments of the airport should be encouraged, not held up in the hope of transferring the responsibility for all these issues to Bridgepoint Capital.

We would therefore ask that you bear in mind that the vast majority of the public in Leeds and the Region support the terminal development and the growth of aviation services from Leeds Bradford International Airport, and that there is considerable anger at the failure of the Planning Committee to approve the application in April. If it becomes a necessity, we will do as we have in the past and prove this support beyond doubt. Given that we did so with regard to an issue as contraversial as the removal of night flying, we will have little difficulty in doing so with regard to something as logical as a much needed terminal development. It is hoped however that common sense will prevail and this will not be required.

The Airport Support Group therefore urges the Leeds West Planning Committee to approve the terminal development application when it is next submitted to the Committee for further consideration.



Yours Sincerely

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Here here!

Re your initial comment. Please check your PMs.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Very well witten White Heather.

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Here. Here.

That is a well constructed letter heather. very good read.

Please check you PM's as i sent you a message about getting onto the site late last night...

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Hi guys

Well thank you for those comments. I just hope that Cllr Campbell reads the letter!! I suspect I will know whether he did or not when I see him next at the Consultative Meeting!

I have ready my PM's thanks guys and am now in the LBASG web site OK, and in fact posted my first ever message on there tonight. Thanks for your help in getting me on Aviador, and thanks LBASpotter for putting the above letter on too - the way you have done it is fine.

 

[dispext]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I've been trying to imagine what the departure gate layout will look like after the expansion. It mentions a single eastern exit to all the departure gates on the plans? Anyone got a mock-up or drawing of what the gate plan would look like, or even the internal layout by floor?