AN AIRPORT link road consultation has been attacked as "flawed" by an MP in the House of Commons.

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland criticised Leeds City Council and the Department for Transport, accusing them of ignoring a rail link in favour of road links to Leeds Bradford Airport.

One of the road links proposed will cost up to £75 million to construct, while the other will cost up to £50 million. A third option, which involves upgrading existing roads, would cost £15 million.

Mr Mulholland said: "Spending such a huge amount on new road links, which impact on greenbelt land, is ridiculous, particularly since so few people are getting to the airport on public transport because there is no rail link."

Leeds City Council has said it is working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds Bradford Airport to examine the possibility of a rail link in the longer term.

Meanwhile, more than 150 people turned out for a meeting called by Rawdon Parish Council at the weekend to discuss link road proposals.

Parish council chairman, Councillor John Davies, said: "There was a lot of concern expressed by members of the public about the lack of factual information from Leeds City Council about the proposed routes.

"I think the general outcome was that the very strong majority feeling was that people don't want the road. They don't believe it will relieve congestion or improve connectivity.

"People want a rail link and, possibly, as a first phase, the Parkway station on the Harrogate line."

He urged local people to write to Leeds City Council to make their views know. The consultation period on the proposed options has been extended to February 26.