Plea for Yeadon to get airport cash (From Wharfedale Observer)

Plea for Yeadon to get airport cash

5:58pm Monday 22nd October 2007 in Local news By Annette McIntyre

Around 50 people turned out for a public meeting to discuss the impact of the sale of Leeds Bradford Airport.

Residents are asking for reassurances that the worst effects of expansion will be properly controlled and they want information about road-building and public transport plans.

Residents told the meeting, organised by Otley and Yeadon Labour Party, that they were also concerned about noise pollution, fuel pollution and parking. And they claimed that holidaymakers already left their vehicles in nearby streets to avoid car park charges.

The airport was previously owned by five local councils but was sold earlier this year to Bridgepoint Ltd for £145m.

The new owners have announced a massive investment plan, and passenger numbers are expected to double to seven million by 2015. But residents from the surrounding areas who came to the meeting at Yeadon Town Hall were concerned at the lack of more detailed information about the impact on the local area.

Some residents say they are angry that Yeadon, which will bear the brunt of the expansion , was not mentioned in the Leeds City Council plans to spend the windfall money.

Coun Judith Blake, Deputy Leader of the Labour opposition on Leeds City Council claimed that Bradford Council had more fairly allocated some of their £51m sale money equally between all 30 Bradford wards for community projects.

John Eveleigh, leader of the local Labour campaign group, said the council seemed to have overlooked the need to plan for the impact on Yeadon and the surrounding area, and he called for a fairer deal from Leeds.

"If there are plans they haven't kept local people in the picture," he said.

He added that Otley and Yeadon Labour Party would take up the issues raised at the meeting.

"If holiday car parking in residential streets is a widespread problem, for example, we will campaign with local people to get the City Council to provide Residents only' parking permits backed up by strong enforcement. It's not difficult for Leeds to arrange."