Aircraft Viewing Areas

[White Heather]

The point I was trying to make is that even with the viewing points south of the runway, (Golf course, cafe, cemetery) the sun isn't behind you until after 10am. Any early morning photos will have to be from the "Hawthorns Pub" or further along the road to Sentinel Car Park. (north of the runway). You can also get to the north of the runway at 32 end if you follow the public footpath past the golf course and around the end of the runway. I am not too sure but I think you are a little lower than the runway but would be OK for landing shots.
I do not like taking photos into the sun, very few airlines/airliners look good back lit.
I hope you follow my meaning.

I understand that Seasider but if taking photos from the South side, at least the sun is never in front of you so photos are not backlit and by mid morning it is behind you. You would have to be there as the sun rises in mid summer to have any risk of the sun shining into the camera lens and in the evening it would only be as the sun is setting later on - and even then that would only apply mid summer when the sun goes further round to the NW.

 

[ls27]

Something I have been trying to find out since last year is about the area in front of the Cemetery in Yeadon being at public highway. The Asset Engineer ( former colleague) at Leeds C.C. refuses to answer my question!
I have spoken to another former colleague from the Aireborough U.D.C. who was responsible for design of the diversion of the highway when the runway extension was built. He says he retained the old part of the road as a public highway in the Diversion Order as such so as to prevent parking, and it is in the book of plans for the maintenance of public highways in the old Aireborough U.D.C. Area as such. (ie The Terrier is it's proper name)
Leeds seem to have lost this Terrier.
Perhaps it is an unknown fact to many people that the Highway Authority (Leeds City Council in this case) do not own Public Highways! (only on its own private land ie parks and open spaces etc) but only maintain them. The terminology is Highways Maintained at Public Expense.The only things they own on a highway is the street furniture, and that White Heather is why your local Councillor wouldn't find the area as an owned asset.

 

[tleeds]

I never even knew that was the original road before the runway extension! Thanks LS27.

 

[Aviador]

I remember that very well too. It was a huge construction site with numerous road alterations. The Old White House Lane can still be seen airside close to the Jet2 offices. At the end of the old White House Lane you can still just about make out the old A658. To put this into perspective, the LBA expansion and runway extension project of the 80s was double that of the more recent Birmingham runway extension project.

 

[JakeS]

The synic in me is thinking if whoever has legal ownership of the road dug into archives they'd be interested in placing a box at the entrance and charging a flat rate entry fee. Having said that they'd then have to resurface & designate parking bays which would potentially be more hassle than it's worth. If anything in the next few lifetimes as the road becomes increasingly broken I can envisage the area transfered into the hands of the cemetery and cemetery extended.

 

[ls27]

The point is that roads are maintained at public expense. A highway is from wall to wall,parking bays et al. You may be dead right on the last sentence!

 

[rangieowner]

Having said that they'd then have to resurface & designate parking bays

Just what me and a mate were discussing last week....If we win the lottery etc. etc.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I went to the Cemetery Road viewing area this morning and it got me thinking. As the group has provided so much support to the airport recently, I dont think it would be unreasonable to ask the airport to trim back the vegetation within the airport boundary and even send a couple of staff out a couple of hours a month to tidy up the viewing area itself- Im sure the council would not object.

 

[airforced]

Is the Cemetery Road viewing area an official airport viewing area (and therefore owned by them) or is it simply a convenient viewing spot that enthusiasts frequent and the area is Council owned?

I know it is unfashionable to mention this but it seems that the majority are quite adept at chucking their rubbish wherever they please and it is quite in order, as seen by most, for them to then ask someone else to tidy up after them!

Not suggesting that you are in that group LBAYORKIE but even if the land belonged to LBA I think it is a bit much for spotters to expect someone else to clean up after them when they are quite capable, and should, take their litter home with them or find a suitable receptacle on their way home in which to place their items of rubbish.

I'm afraid I'm part of an old fashioned world that is rarely seen these days more the pity.

 

[White Heather]

Is the Cemetery Road viewing area an official airport viewing area (and therefore owned by them) or is it simply a convenient viewing spot that enthusiasts frequent and the area is Council owned?

I know it is unfashionable to mention this but it seems that the majority are quite adept at chucking their rubbish wherever they please and it is quite in order, as seen by most, for them to then ask someone else to tidy up after them!

Not suggesting that you are in that group LBAYORKIE but even if the land belonged to LBA I think it is a bit much for spotters to expect someone else to clean up after them when they are quite capable, and should, take their litter home with them or find a suitable receptacle on their way home in which to place their items of rubbish.

I'm afraid I'm part of an old fashioned world that is rarely seen these days more the pity.

The viewing area is not airport land and nothing to do with LBA. Normally the trees are cut back at the request if the council or local councillor because otherwise, more and more people go into the cemetery. Recently they haven't been touched and the view is becoming seriously compromised.

 

[ls27]

They are part of the public highway therefore the responsibility rest with LCC

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I disagree. Sounds like you've never visited the 'viewing area'. It's an opportunity for the airport to give something back to their supporters at very little cost.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Irrespective of who has official responsibility for the land as I said there's no reason why LBA couldn't chip in. I am certain the owner would have no objections. I put litter in the bin when I see it but there's a build up of general wind blown soil etc and the area needs weeding and tidying up. Irrespective of this, there's nothing stopping the airport trimming back the bushes within their perimeter.

 

[ls27]

Not true, I worked for the Local Authority that designed the Cemetery Road Diversion. The 'viewing area' is part of the public highway and always has been. It is the access to the Cemetery and the stone yard. It had double yellow lines to comply with the Civil Aviation requirements and was visited by a Traffic Warden in the early days on a regular basis. Because of the now lack of local highway knowledge, the lines have not been renewed.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

The viewing area is not airport land and nothing to do with LBA. Normally the trees are cut back at the request if the council or local councillor because otherwise, more and more people go into the cemetery. Recently they haven't been touched and the view is becoming seriously compromised.

I know its not airport land, as I alluded to in my original email (ownership has been discussed previously on the forum) but why wouldn't the airport spend a couple of hours a month just tidying up the area for the benefit of supporters/spotters? I accept to prune vegetation they would need the owners permission but I don't see why they need permission to do general maintenance any more than a member of the public would.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Is this something maybe you and several other supporters could get involved with @LBAYORKIE? Get an established group, airport may start taking notice and what not. Investment may then come to make the spotting area more attractive.

 

[ls27]

Because the area is used as a 'viewing area' and is not designated as such.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Is this something maybe you and several other supporters could get involved with @LBAYORKIE? Get an established group, airport may start taking notice and what not. Investment may then come to make the spotting area more attractive.

A couple of hours a month with a spade and broom is not really an investment. It's very little to ask. I get the feeling from the responses I've had that very few of our members actually visit the airport to spot aircraft. The airport need friends and this would be a good way to recognise its supporters.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

What I'm saying why don't you do it, get an official group set up for spotters and what not for the area. Then that way the airport, in a few years when money is readily flowing through the airport, may recognise the group and area. Like MAN do.

 

[mdobuk21]

To be fair its got nothing to do wirh LBA so why would they get involved? Its the same on the hill overlooking multiflight apron, the vegetation is the worst ive seen it! Its really restricting the view! Still there are other areas to view from!