THE FIRST details about a potential new link road to Leeds Bradford Airport have been released.

Leeds City Council is considering three different ways of improving access to the Yeadon-based airport in a bid to boost the economy and tackle congestion.

The proposed options, two of which are for new link roads, were published this week ahead of a full public consultation that will begin before the end of the year.

They are to:

*Build a new road from the A65 which would run along the eastern edge of the airport before joining the A658, to the north

*Create a new road that would follow the same initial path, from the A65 running between Rawdon and Horsforth, but then run to the south west of the airport before joining the A658

*Upgrading the existing A65 and A658, around Rawdon and Yeadon, to the airport - which would involved junctions being upgraded and some road widening.

The council's Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, Councillor Richard Lewis (Lab, Pudsey) said: "Improving road access to Leeds Bradford Airport and tackling congestion issues on the local network is a priority for the city and region, but we need to do it right - which is why we are releasing this information now so people can see what we are proposing ahead of the full consultation process.

"The airport contributes more than £100 million a year to our economy, with its future growth essential to providing new jobs in the years and decades to come.

"That is why it is vital access to and from the airport is as effective as it can be while also serving the needs of the local communities.

"So we look forward to people considering the options and giving us their views when the full consultation process takes place."

More details about the three options along with a map can be viewed at www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Airport-Link-Road.aspx .

The document says a new link road could reduce journey times for cars and buses, remove airport traffic from main and local roads, and support the development of employment sites near LBA.

Further information will be available for the public consultation, which is expected to begin in November and will include drop-in sessions.

The airport road access improvement scheme will be funded through the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund.

One of the fastest-growing airports in the UK, Leeds Bradford is used by 3.3million passengers per year and supports 2,600 jobs.