A study into improving links to Leeds-Bradford Airport has been ordered by the Department for Transport.

Transport links to LBIA have already been included in a Treasury list of six ‘notorious and longstanding road congestion hotspots’.

A Treasury report – Investing in Britain’s Future – which was published last year, said further feasibility studies were needed into the six hotspots.

Now the DfT has appointed WSP, in partnership with Parsons Brinckerhoff, to carry out a transportation study to examine options for improving connectivity to the airport.

The study, which is expected to be finished by early August, aims to identify ways of ‘substantially’ improving the LBIA’s links to surrounding areas.  The study will take account of the airport’s intention to grow and will identify ways of improving surface access to help it achieve its aim.

It will look at roads, public transport and ‘other sustainable modes’. WSP says consultation and liaison with local authorities and key stakeholders will underpin and run through the study.

In 2012 local campaigners warned that gridlock on roads near the airport could lead to serious consequences.