Every airport I fly out of has a sign which forbids entry to persons "without
authority or lawful reason", so why make a blanket exclusion as well as chains
on the gate?
Did anyone even read what I wrote when I said that I took the initiative to ring the council and ask them?
so why make a blanket exclusion
It is NOT a blanket exclusion.
A poorly worded sign, yes, but not a blanket exclusion! 
If you really want access to get off the airport, then go and park outside the hangar of that guy who wears the green overalls 24x7 with the badges all over them, I think he flies a trike or something, I'm sure he'll let you through
