whoshotjimmi
Well-Known Member
I have long been a supporter of the idea that the airport would be of more use in a different location for many, many reasons however, as Seasider rightly points out, putting it in Church Fenton instantly makes Manchester a far more attractive proposal. Quite aside from the fact that residents of Bradford, Huddersfield, Halifax etc would up sticks and head West, an airport here would do little to attract new customers from other populations centres.
For what it is worth, I believe the ideal location would be next to Junction 45 of the M1, opposite Temple Newsham. The land is currently, mostly, a landfill which could be used to generate an amount of energy. The road from Junction 45 into Leeds is massively underutilised, as is the junction itself. The location would sit next to the Leeds - Sheffield/Nottingham railway line offering new links with other population centres as well as being easily accessible by car.
An airport in this location with the correct infrastructure would attract routes such as Dubai etc and offer a viable and attractive alternative to the people of Sheffield, who would then have the choice of EMA, MAN and the new LBA. Furthermore, such a site would provide the people of York and Hull with much faster access (journey time improvements of roughly 30mins). The move East would be mitigated by the improved access provided by road and rail with journey times from the centre of Bradford (10mins) and Huddersfield (30mins) improving over the current situation through use of the M606/M62. Additionally, the journey to the business centre of Leeds would be faster which, I am sure, would further enforce the business routes that are, presently, better than LPL, EMA, HUY, DSA. Such a move would, probably, lead to the closure of DSA altogether and there would be a case to divert European development fund monies (from which DSA benefits) to the new project.
Importantly, though this area does suffer, to a small extent, with early morning mist at certain times of the year due to the local geography, it is not subject to the prevailing weather in the same way as the current site. A runway length of at least 2,750m is possible with a landing distance of at least 2,400m (based on an Eastern approach over Beeston) with full ILS capability and a West/South-West - East/North-East orientation. If departure routes were set accordingly, the number of residential areas overflown on both Departure and Arrival would be significantly less than at present due to a far lower population density in South Leeds.
I will concede that there are negatives to such a plan; the wetlands and local wildlife would be particularly problematic and the speed of access for a large proportion of Leeds and Bradford residents - as well as those from other towns such as Keighley/Skipton/Ilkley/Harrogate etc - would be adversely affected. However, an airport in this location would still be more attractive than the trip to Manchester, especially if the new airport were to offer good rail links to the aforementioned towns and attract a number of new routes. I see it as the only real option for a new airport because other locations that I can think of simply do not provide any benefit to the population over the current site.
Still, that is total pie in the sky because, as Aviador rightly points out, it will never happen. There is little political will for it to happen (other than the typically vote grabbing nonsense that has already been mentioned) and no available cash to build it (unless, perhaps, a Russian oligarch has some spare change). There is then the question of the current site and owners. How exactly would all that be sorted out? No. A full redevelopment of LBA would cost half as much and provide enough benefits to grow the airport in line with - or slightly ahead of - other regional airports. If I am wrong and there is indeed political will for this to happen, the provision of a dedicated link road and rail line would be the most important contribution they could make.
Certainly, if there is now political pressure for LBA to grow, the local government ought to look at the lack of investment and insufficient forward planning during the time they were in charge as a current stumbling block. A close relationship between the incumbents and local government is necessary for sustained future growth.
For what it is worth, I believe the ideal location would be next to Junction 45 of the M1, opposite Temple Newsham. The land is currently, mostly, a landfill which could be used to generate an amount of energy. The road from Junction 45 into Leeds is massively underutilised, as is the junction itself. The location would sit next to the Leeds - Sheffield/Nottingham railway line offering new links with other population centres as well as being easily accessible by car.
An airport in this location with the correct infrastructure would attract routes such as Dubai etc and offer a viable and attractive alternative to the people of Sheffield, who would then have the choice of EMA, MAN and the new LBA. Furthermore, such a site would provide the people of York and Hull with much faster access (journey time improvements of roughly 30mins). The move East would be mitigated by the improved access provided by road and rail with journey times from the centre of Bradford (10mins) and Huddersfield (30mins) improving over the current situation through use of the M606/M62. Additionally, the journey to the business centre of Leeds would be faster which, I am sure, would further enforce the business routes that are, presently, better than LPL, EMA, HUY, DSA. Such a move would, probably, lead to the closure of DSA altogether and there would be a case to divert European development fund monies (from which DSA benefits) to the new project.
Importantly, though this area does suffer, to a small extent, with early morning mist at certain times of the year due to the local geography, it is not subject to the prevailing weather in the same way as the current site. A runway length of at least 2,750m is possible with a landing distance of at least 2,400m (based on an Eastern approach over Beeston) with full ILS capability and a West/South-West - East/North-East orientation. If departure routes were set accordingly, the number of residential areas overflown on both Departure and Arrival would be significantly less than at present due to a far lower population density in South Leeds.
I will concede that there are negatives to such a plan; the wetlands and local wildlife would be particularly problematic and the speed of access for a large proportion of Leeds and Bradford residents - as well as those from other towns such as Keighley/Skipton/Ilkley/Harrogate etc - would be adversely affected. However, an airport in this location would still be more attractive than the trip to Manchester, especially if the new airport were to offer good rail links to the aforementioned towns and attract a number of new routes. I see it as the only real option for a new airport because other locations that I can think of simply do not provide any benefit to the population over the current site.
Still, that is total pie in the sky because, as Aviador rightly points out, it will never happen. There is little political will for it to happen (other than the typically vote grabbing nonsense that has already been mentioned) and no available cash to build it (unless, perhaps, a Russian oligarch has some spare change). There is then the question of the current site and owners. How exactly would all that be sorted out? No. A full redevelopment of LBA would cost half as much and provide enough benefits to grow the airport in line with - or slightly ahead of - other regional airports. If I am wrong and there is indeed political will for this to happen, the provision of a dedicated link road and rail line would be the most important contribution they could make.
Certainly, if there is now political pressure for LBA to grow, the local government ought to look at the lack of investment and insufficient forward planning during the time they were in charge as a current stumbling block. A close relationship between the incumbents and local government is necessary for sustained future growth.
