Agenda item

Leeds Bradford International Airport: Surface Access

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on surface access issues at Leeds/Bradford Airport.

 

 

Minutes:

Referring to Minute 18 of the meeting held on 6th July 2010, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the surface access strategy and other transport related planning issues at Leeds Bradford International Airport.

 

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

 

·  Leeds Bradford International Airport: Surface Access – Report of the Acting Director of City Development

·  Leeds Bradford International Airport Surface Access Strategy – Summary (Appendix A refers)

·  Leeds City Region Partners – Leeds City Region Transport Strategy – Executive Summary (Appendix B refers)

·  UK airports ranked by Million Passengers per Annum

(Appendix C refers)

·  Leeds City Council Scrutiny Board Meeting – 11th January 2011 – Presentation slides provided by Leeds Bradford International Airport

(Appendix D refers)

 

In addition to the above appendices, Members also received a briefing note on the Surface Access Strategy from Simon Bowens, Yorkshire and Humber Campaigner, Friends of the Earth which had been circulated as supplementary information prior to the Board meeting.

 

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

 

John Parkin, Chief Executive, Leeds Bradford International Airport

Carl Lapworth, Director, Operations & Engineering, Leeds Bradford International Airport

David Hoggarth, Director, Development, Metro

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

Andrew Hall, Acting Head of Transport Policy, City Development

Councillor C Campbell, Otley and Yeadon Ward Member

 

The Chair invited Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development to give a brief overview of the role of Leeds Bradford International Airport within the city region.

 

Following this, the Chair then invited John Parkin, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport to comment on the aims and objectives as outlined within the document entitled ‘Bridgepoint 3 – Point Strategy – A clear vision for the future success of Leeds Bradford International Airport’.

 

The Board then focused on the Leeds Bradford International Airport surface access strategy and other transport related planning issues.

 

Andrew Hall, Acting Head of Transport, City Development highlighted the main issues within the department’s report, together with input from John Parkin, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport; Carl Lapworth, Director, Operations and Engineering, Leeds Bradford International Airport and David Hoggarth, Director, Development, Metro.

 

In addition to the above representations, the Chair also invited Councillors C Campbell to briefly comment on this issue. Councillor Campbell stated that he was not against the airport and that it did make a very significant contribution to the regional economy. However he had concerns about the major impact on the traffic infrastructure should the airport expand it’s operation to 6 million passengers a year. He also made reference to the lack of Government funding in this area, the large number of vehicles that were using

inappropriate roads when accessing the airport and current drop off and pick up issues. He thought that it was time for a more realistic surface access strategy that tried to address the increasing traffic issues facing the airport’s operation that did not rely on expensive schemes that were not likely to get the go ahead in the current economic climate.

 

The Board Members then questioned the above representatives and officers on the main points.

 

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

 

·  clarification of the figures in relation to the distribution of passengers using Leeds Bradford International Airport

·  clarification as to which body was responsible for producing a new airport Surface Access Strategy

(The Acting Head of Transport Policy responded and informed the meeting that it was the ultimate responsibility of Leeds Bradford International airport, in consultation with other partners i.e. Highways, Metro etc)

·  the concerns raised about the out of date post code navigation system that existed on the airport’s website which directed airport traffic on inappropriate roads

(The Acting Head of Transport Policy responded and confirmed that satellite navigation was a problem as it was difficult to ascertain what highway route network information had been referred to satellite navigation companies)

·  clarification of the number of airport’s flight movements compared to those at Robin Hood Airport and whether or not it was the airport’s intention to construct a second runway

(The Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport responded and confirmed that there was no physical space at the airport to construct a second runway and no demand requirement to meet the airport’s forecast growth)

·  clarification of the airport’s vision to implement routes to Canada via British Airways

(The Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport responded and outlined the current protocol for long distance flights. The Board noted that in the interests of putting Yorkshire on the tourist map and bringing in more trade, the airport wanted to expand it’s routes to other cities in Germany)

·  concerns about disability access at the airport

(The Director of Operations and Engineering, Leeds Bradford International Airport responded and outlined the procedures in place  and access points for disabled cars which conform to the Disability Discrimination Act 2004)

·  clarification of the tendering process for the taxi contract

(The Director of Operations and Engineering, Leeds Bradford International Airport responded that the taxi contract was due for renewal in two years time)

·  the view that some parts of the airport looked untidy and unclean and that the private hire box was in need of urgent repair

(The Director of Operations and Engineering, Leeds Bradford International Airport responded and explained the need for a 30m exclusion zone around the airport terminal and that once the new terminal building was complete the private hire box would be relocated)

·  clarification as why seasonal flights were often withdrawn completely  in the Winter rather continue with less frequent flights

(The Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport responded and outlined the criteria for the economic viability of seasonal flights which ensured that airlines did not operate at a loss)

 

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the Acting Director of City Development submit a report to the next meeting on the planning obligations the Leeds Bradford International Airport had in relation to surface access at the airport.

c)  That details be provided to the Board on the information the Council had passed to Satellite Navigation companies on how to get to Leeds Bradford International Airport.

 

(Councillor D Atkinson left the meeting at 12.10pm during discussions of the above item)

   

 

Supporting documents: