A NEW link road and improved bus links between Bradford Interchange and Leeds Bradford International Airport are some of the preferred options laid out in a Government feasibility study into making the airport more accessible.

But a tram/train link between the city centre and the airport at Yeadon has initially been ruled out of any upcoming plans to improve airport connectivity on the grounds of cost.

The Department for Transport released the study which argues the best, short-term option to make the airport easier to get to is a road linking the A65 to the airport, with improved bus services to Bradford and Leeds. The predicted cost of the road would be £38 million with a further £7m spent on the new bus routes.

A “long-term” option also suggested in the report is for a new rail line from Guiseley, passing through the airport, to Horsforth.

On the link road option, the report states: “The Link Road would also have other, as yet unquantified potential benefits, including the ability to facilitate Park and Ride and associated economic development opportunities, because of the access opportunities it unlocks.”

Bradford Council leader David Green said the authority was still pushing for the tram/train link which would have started at Bradford Interchange with stops at Forster Square then via Frizinghall, Shipley, Baildon, Guiseley to the airport. Councillor Green said: “Our desire is to have a rail link between the two cities.

“Simply trying to improve road links near the airport through what are residential areas is not an option that is going to be beneficial to the local community. We have to examine the details of this report and then we will be in a position to put forward an argument for what will benefit the area.”

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland said: “I have welcomed the announcement in the Autumn Statement that the Government is publishing a feasibility study into improving access to Leeds Bradford International Airport, which I have been pushing for, however, as I have stressed in the past, this should be via a rail link. I have long campaigned for a rail link that would make it easier for local residents and businesses to go abroad.

“Earlier this year I tabled a motion in Parliament calling on ministers to provide a further boost for local jobs and the regional economy by setting out a timescale for investing in a rail link.

“With the Leeds city region economy worth £55 billion in 2013, I have called for the decision on the most effective transport system for the city had to be made locally rather than by civil servants 200 miles away in Whitehall.

“So I welcome the announcement that it will be for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to consider how to take the recommendations forward.”