LEEDS 5

[Andy_S]

How much would a rail link cost?
Lets say for arguments sake it is £20 Million.

You must be kidding! Try multiplying by 5, more likely 10......

look at Birmingham, they are having a new railway station built near the airport

Birmingham have had a railway station near the airport for a long time. It's called Birmingham International, it also serves the NEC, and - conveniently - it's on a major inter-city railway route.

Whats all this environmental impact nonsense anyway

It's about much more than CO2 emissions. It's about tearing down peoples homes. It's about putting down extensive new transport infrastructure in a developed area. It's about bulldozing the local topography. It's about how the quality of life of local people will be compromised by more rail and road traffic.

At what point will you accept that the ability to handle more flights is outweighed by the financial and environmental cost of developing the airport.

[Runway 32/14]

And I Quote

Green light for Birmingham expansion

April 16, 2009

Solihull Council has given the go-ahead to extend the runway at Birmingham International Airport by 400 metres, The Birmingham Mail reports.

The decision will allow the airport to add new long-haul services to destinations in Asia and North America, significantly benefiting the local economy.

In addition to expanding the airport’s route network, councillors said local businesses will receive an “immediate boost” from new development contracts.

okay it's not a new station..but look at the money!!!
What’s more, the upgrade comes as Network Rail released funds for the £600 million New Street Station project – one of the West Midlands’ largest ever transport upgrades.

Peter Mathews, president of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, told The Birmingham Mail that both projects would have a positive impact on “regional confidence and the economy,” creating hundreds of jobs in the design and construction sector. “But we’ll see the real benefits once it is completed,” he added. “With the West Midlands having greater and easier access to the rest of the world, there will be real benefits to international trade.”

Solihull Council also pledged to limit night-time flights and minimise noise pollution levels, in recognition of concerns raised by environmental campaigners.

[Andy_S]

New Street station is in central Birmingham. Nothing, whatsoever, to do with the airport. And it's not a new station, but an extensive redevelopment of an existing one.

[Runway 32/14]

My point been..is the massive Network and rail expansion, this must have a positive knock on effect for the Airport!!

[Strelnikov]

The additional platform at Manchester airport cost £15m.

A heavy rail line from Horsforth would need some challenging engineering so it won't come cheap.

There was nothing in the Regional Funding Allocation programme for Yorkshire and Humber for 2006/07 to 2015/16.

The most likely (but still unlikely) scheme would be a "tram-train" peeling off at Horsforth.

The now irrelevant Masterplan (isn't it?) had dreams of a heavy rail line linking the airport to Horsforth and Guiseley in proposals up to 2016.

[Runway 32/14]

And they still might get a "heavy rail line" as long as the finances are in place.....


Better still lets close down LBA and start from scratch with a brand new one...purpose built for all heavy aircraft to be able to use it.....the biggest and best airport with the best road and rail links....and let us build it..where nobody can complain about trafic or noise........(Yeah right)

[leeds-bradford]

Was at LBA yesterday:

[al446]

Runway 32/14

then surley these people will only have to travel further to fly to their chosen destination

I have used LBA quite a few times, I live equidistant from LBA, MAN & LPL so I am in your catchment area. I find it an absolute pain in the bum to get to LBA so the flights have to be ULTRA cheap to attract me as LPL is a doddle to get to, car parking cheaper and a better experience. I can do MAN by (cheap) train. Soa part of your argument falls down, not all of it.

To develop LBA to be far more user friendly and make it a major player would take way more than either the owning company, local council or Regional DA could throw at it. Previous posters have pointed out the difficulties but if you want to keep your head in the sand, OK.

Just be satisfied you have a regional airport on your doorstep.

[Runway 32/14]

al446

quote:
Previous posters have pointed out the difficulties but if you want to keep your head in the sand, OK.

Just be satisfied you have a regional airport on your doorstep.


Hey...there is no need for your patronising comments.....you ought to be grateful that you are in equal travelling distance from Manchester Liverpool and Leeds..

I am not saying that LBA should be a major player..i am saying that it is about time it was allowed to move into the 21st century....even without further expansion or increased passanger figures....LBA needs an improoved road system and a rail link!!!! What is wrong with that!!!!

[Flying Yorkshireman]

Nostalgia

Some recent posts reminded me of the old days and the fact that the readership covers a wide range of ages. Not everyone appreciates the variety of airlines and aircraft that have used the airport in the past.

I used to be quite an enthusiast around the time of the runway extension and took quite a number of pictures. I was inspired to put a number of them on the link below. I hope that they are of interest. Some, but not all, have been published elsewhere before.

Please bear in mind that pre-digital images didn't carry date details, so I may be a year or so out with some of the captions. If anyone remembers details more clearly than me, let me know!

Thanks to one or two friends who supplied me with pictures when I couldn't be around and to members of ATC past and present who made it possible to capture some images from interesting locations.

I have many more pictures that I could add if there is sufficient interest, but the highlights have probably been included.

Regards,

FY

LBA Nostalgia :: Fotopic.Net

[norjet806]

Nostalgia

Flying Yorkshireman

Just looked at your LBA Nostalgia site, Brilliant stuff, thanks for sharing, please add more if you get the chance!

[Runway 32/14]

Nice one Richard...brilliant pictures, i love them!!

[wawkrk]

Wonderful shots.I think LBA was one of the few airports to have 2 Concordes parked up overnight.

[Runway 32/14]

20 years time (Off Topic)

It does make you think about the future of our beloved Airport....
will Leeds/Bradford Airport still be here in 20 years time!!!!
I am sure it will be, due to the continued growth in population and the simple fact the more people are living longer and healthier lives...but will we see growth within our airport, will she be allowed to grow with the growth in population!!!!!
Maybe even a new airport could be built (subject to a dozen or so complaints) LBA does need to spread her wings..it doesnt matter about those "green people" or local residents..the simple fact remains....increased population, increased imagration and increased tourism.....new homes will be built and new roads will be made...and people will still want to fly from there "local airport"...
I look forward to the next 20 years (i hope)

[Flying Yorkshireman]

Nostalgia

Many thanks for the kind words about my pictures; it has made my efforts of last weekend and 25 years ago seem worthwhile!

Given the apparent interest, I will add some more pictures over the next few days. As previously stated, I think that I have already included the highlights, but I still have a few alternative views of 747s, TriStars and Concordes, plus shots of lesser aircraft operated by other airlines at the time.

I will try to get more pictures on the site by the end of the weekend.

Thanks again for the positive comments.

Now where's that loft ladder?

Regards,

FY

[harrogate]

Saw a Wizzair machine going into LBA at 7:40am yesterday on the way to work. What's all that about?

Also, on the way home tonight there was a Jet2 757 on the turning loop with a ladder truck up and front doors open. Anyone know the problem?

[scamptonboy]

The Wizz was a diversion from Liverpool due to fog.

The 757 in the loop was there for engine runs.

Scamps

[backtrack_32]

Flying Yorkshireman, Have you got any pics which show the terminal building, airside and landside so we can see how much it has changed?

Thanks in advance!

[Helen49]

Wawkrk..........
Sorry, delayed response......just to clear up a couple of my earlier points!

I am not opposed to LBA, far from it. It is my local airport. However the purpose of my post was to add what I perceive as realism to the comments.

I appreciate that it is one of the best sited airports in the UK in terms of proximity to its catchment, however the cost of making significant changes to the geography of the airfield and the geography of its surface connections [dual carriageways & rail links] will prove to be prohibitive. The present and forseeable state of UK finances only exacerbates the situation and renders further significant development improbable.

H49

[Runway 32/14]

Quiet protest@LBA

I see the "Green Squad" are at LBA today protesting about any further growth or expansion!!!!
They were heard saying and i quote:" If the airport can expand without creating further C02 levels, then we are all for seeing the airport expand"!!!! how the hell does that happen.....

I wonder how many of these protesters drove to the airport...i bet non of them walked or cycled!!!