Leeds Bradford Airport rail link ‘is key to unlock more growth’

The report said the airport was a key driver of jobs, investment, tourism and business growth, contributing £737m annually to West Yorkshire’s economy.

But the independent assessment argued better transport including a long-proposed parkway station would unlock further growth.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority last week backed plans to develop a full business case for a new station between Horsforth and the southern entrance to Bramhope tunnel on the rail route linking Leeds and Harrogate, with a shuttle bus operating to the airport.

Launching the report yesterday, LBA chief executive, Vincent Hodder, said: “The evidence is clear that improving connectivity to the airport is one of the most important opportunities we have to unlock further economic growth for West Yorkshire and Yorkshire as a whole.

“While we recognise the financial pressures and delivery challenges currently facing major infrastructure projects across the UK, the strategic case of this scheme has never been stronger.

“A dedicated rail gateway serving the airport would be transformational for the region.”

He said it would strengthen connections between Yorkshire’s towns and cities but also had the potential to bring new jobs and investment to north west Leeds.

“This is not simply an investment in airport connectivity; it is an investment in one of Yorkshire’s most significant future growth opportunities,” he said.

“The economic benefits of this project are too significant to put on hold. Each year of delay represents a missed opportunity for jobs, investment and growth.”

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said the combined authority was “working hard” to realise ambitions for the station to serve the airport.

“Strengthening connectivity, both within the region and internationally, is essential as we compete on the global stage for trade and investment,” she said.

The airport is undergoing investment worth £200m amid plans to lift passenger numbers to seven million by the early 2030s.

But the report said its full potential was constrained by “inadequate” access, with passengers instead travelling to other airports.

“Passengers, employees, business travellers and inbound visitors remain overly dependent on congested roads,” it said.

“This limits LBA’s ability to grow sustainably, attract new routes and convert Yorkshire’s underlying passenger demand into economic value for the region.

“Without a step-change in rail access, Leeds, Bradford and West Yorkshire risk continuing to underuse one of their most important economic assets.

“By connecting LBA more effectively to Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate, York and the wider Yorkshire economy, the station would help unlock more routes, more business travel, more inbound tourism, more jobs and lower-carbon journeys.”

Plans for a full business case for the station are likely to take at least two years to be drawn up. A direct route to the airport has already been ruled out due to the cost.