Airport expansion receives stiff opposition

Plans to expand Leeds/Bradford Airport have come up against opposition from environmental groups and claims that the new transport system simply wouldn't work.

The airport expansion plans, worth £70 million, included a £28 million terminal expansion project, creating 3,000 jobs in the process, on condition that problems with traffic congestion are addressed.

Last night saw planning councillors unanimously agree to delay the decision on the local airport's expansion. Despite support for the expansion itself, councillors foresaw problems with the transport blueprint, in particular, transport links from the congested city of Leeds.

Councillor Jamie Matthews (Liberal Democrat, Headingley) told the city council's plans panel west: "What we want is some ambitious public transport ideas."

Leeds/Bradford Airport owners say the airport runs at full capacity and that passengers travelling through suffer delays and congestion. The extension aims to relieve some of the pressure with the construction of a two-storey building and improved facilities, including a new departure lounge, shops, passenger screening zone and improved immigration facilities.

The plans to improve the transport system in the area, which include a tram-train link and improved bus services, have come under scrutiny from various groups.

The Leeds Supertram scheme has yet to receive any support from the government so is not expected to arrive for some time, while opposition remains sceptical that bus service improvements can discourage people from driving instead. Local resident David Cooper said: "Businessmen do not use buses,".

The plans for the expansion will be deferred and discussed at a later date.