Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the transport planning obligations for Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Referring to Minute 98 of the meeting held on 11^th January 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the transport planning obligations for Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Leeds Bradford International Airport; Transport Planning Obligations – Report of the Acting Director of City Development for the information/comment of the meeting.

In addition to the above documents, a copy of an e mail received from Tim McSharry, Head of Disability and Diversity, Access Committee for Leeds dated 7^th February 2011 was circulated for the information/comment of the meeting.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Board Members’ queries and comments:-

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

Mike Darwin, Head of Highways Development Services, City Development

Gillian Macleod, Principal Highways Development Engineer

Planning Adviser from the White Young Green Group

The Board noted that due to other commitments, apologies had been received from John Parkin, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford Airport and Carl Lapworth, Director, Operations and Engineering, Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Mike Darwin, Head of Highways and Development Services, City Development highlighted the main issues within the department’s report.

The Board Members commented on a number of issues including:-

·  the definition of public transport by the Department for Transport

·  concerns at how the recording of journeys by car and public transport to the airport had been interpreted. The Acting Director clarified how this was interpreted within the DfT Guidance

·  the fact that the surface access strategy for Leeds Bradford International Airport would be reviewed in 2011 in accordance with agreed procedures and DfT guidelines

·  a view that wider consultation particularly with Elected Members needs to be undertaken in developing the airport’s next Surface Access Strategy

·  Taxis and disability issues

The Chair informed the meeting that in view of concerns being expressed by the Hackney Carriage trade, he was prepared to take additional evidence from them at today’s meeting.

Mike Utting, representing Leeds Taxi Owners Ltd, Streamline/Telecabs made reference to a number of issues including:-

·  the fact that hackney carriages provide a public service

·  that the loss of the taxi contract at the Leeds Bradford International Airport some years ago had created hackney carriage congestion in the city centre

·  the need to offer the public using the airport choice between private hire and hackney carriages

·  the suggestion that a hackney carriage  rank could be provided  on Whitehouse Lane with a commitment that his Associations  would part fund this venture

·  the lack of disabled taxis at the airport  by the current operator

The Acting Director City Development stated that he remained to be convinced about the proposal for a hackney carriage rank on Whitehouse Lane. 

The Chair thanked officers and representatives from the  Leeds Taxi Owners Ltd, Streamline/Telecabs for their attendance and contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser, in consultation with the Acting Director of City Development, be requested to submit a report  and recommendations on a Surface Access Strategy and proposals for a Hackney Carriage rank for consideration at a future meeting of the Board.