SOME 30 people have taken part in a climate change protest outside Leeds Bradford Airport.

The event, organised by Extinction Rebellion, was held on Thursday, June 20 as part of a national push to publicise Clean Air Day.

The protesters gathered at the roundabout junction of the airport where they waved placards to warn passing motorists of the dangers of increased pollution, including from aviation emissions.

Extinction Rebellion is urging the airport to rethink its expansion plans, which would see its annual passenger numbers rise to seven million by 2030, because of their environmental impact.

It is also calling on Leeds City Council to remove its endorsement of the expansion - and funding for more roads to support it - which campaigners say would be a ‘direct contradiction’ to the council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency earlier this year.

Among those taking part in last week’s protest, which passed peacefully, was Otley Town Councillor Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield).

He said: “There was plenty of support for the airport expansion protest from passing drivers.

“The protest was calling for a rethink on such a rapid expansion of passenger numbers at the airport.

“If the 15 per cent who fly the most decided to take less flights the airport could end up with overcapacity - with half-empty flights still generating CO2 emissions.”

The airport claims that air travel is ‘increasingly important’ to the region’s growth and economy, but says it is also working with its partners to minimise its impact on the environment.