Chris Hyomes, Northern Coordinator, British Regional Transport Association (BRTA), Knottingley.

The latest developments surrounding the proposed Leeds Bradford Airport parkway station – highlighted by the airport’s chief executive expressing his frustration over ongoing delays – will come as a disappointment, if not a surprise, to transport observers across the region.

First announced back in 2016, this scheme was estimated in 2020 to cost £42 million. Today, that estimate has ballooned to £65 million. With West Yorkshire Combined Authority acknowledging that a formal business case is still two to three years away, one must ask: what will the final bill for taxpayers actually be by the time shovels ever touch the ground?

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) has long maintained that a parkway railway station is the wrong approach for Leeds Bradford Airport. A distant station requiring shuttle transfers does not deliver the seamless connection passengers need.

Regional leaders have heard how the long-proposed parkway station plans would be “transformational for the region.” Picture: Gerard Binks

placeholder image — Regional leaders have heard how the long-proposed parkway station plans would be “transformational for the region.” Picture: Gerard Binks

Instead, the airport would be far better served by integration into the proposed Leeds mass transit network (Supertram). A direct tram line out to the airport, constructed as one of the network's priority routes, would bring passengers directly to the terminal doors—something a heavy rail parkway station simply cannot deliver.

Rather than sinking further years and millions of pounds into a compromised parkway concept, West Yorkshire Combined Authority should refocus its efforts on a direct, modern light rail connection that truly meets the needs of passengers and the region.