PROPOSALS for an airport parkway rail station and three link route options are to go out for further public consultation in the new year.

Leeds City Council is planning an “integrated connectivity package” and is expecting to submit outline business cases during the spring and summer of 2019.

The council is planning to contact landowners whose properties would be directly affected by any of the link road options - although it says there is no intention to acquire property at this stage.

A report to the council’s executive board last week said: “There is an aspiration for the station to be open by 2022/23 but this is subject to agreeing an appropriate planning and delivery route in advance of the LBA Link Route which it is anticipated would open in 2026/27. “

Senior councillors agreed a recommendation to carry out the consultation, in conjunction with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, to improve both road and rail access to the airport.

A spokesman said: “Leeds Bradford Airport is a key economic asset for Leeds and the wider region, supporting over 5,000 jobs and contributing £336million to the city region economy each year. It is one of the fastest-growing airports in the UK, with passenger numbers predicted by the Department for Transport to rise from four million in 2017 to 7.1million by 2030 and over nine million by 2050.”

The council is looking at improving access through one of three link route options - from the A65 running along the eastern side of the airport before joining the A658; from the A65 running to the south west of the airport before joining the A658; or upgrading existing junctions on the A65 and A658 in Rawdon and Yeadon along with localised road widening

It is also proposing a new parkway rail station on the Leeds-Harrogate Line, with a short connecting spur road to the airport to provide a shuttle bus connection. The parkway plan include a 350 space park and ride car park and bus interchange.

The council is seeking to release 36 hectares of land next to the airport for employment growth and job creation. As part of the Connecting Leeds transport strategy the city has received £173.5m from the government to invest in transport network improvements.

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: “The latest figures from regional airports including Manchester show that 84 per cent of passengers travel to the airport by car or taxi despite there being direct rail links. Therefore, as Leeds Bradford Airport continues to grow, it is vital that we look at ways to alleviate increased traffic on the road network in north west Leeds as well as plans for a rail connection.”

To see the report considered by the executive board go to https://bit.ly/2oXcZoX (agenda item 14).