I am sure, like many of your readers, that we would like some clarification from Mr Chris Foren, Chair of GALBA about just where he stands on the expansion of the airport.

When did he move into the area? I, for one, think that the airport was there many years before he moved into the area, but if he has lived in the area for over 85 years, then we can all sympathise with him. The other thing is that if he has not lived here that long, then why buy a house near an airport, after all if you don’t like noise or crowds, would you buy a house near Elland Road, Old Trafford or Anfield ?

Does he not consider the impact of a closure of the airport for the local community? The loss of jobs, and an opportunity missed. There could be vast improvements in transport and hotels in the area as well as an increase in jobs at the airport. It would bring millions of pounds into the area, which in view of the pandemic we all badly need.

Could Mr Foren and his Committee tell us just how many of them travelled by air in the year 2019, for holidays or business? Obviously, we cannot use 2020 as a ‘normal year’. Is this a case of, “we don’t want the airport in our own back yard”!

Finally, on this subject, how can Mr Foren predict just what the future holds? Twenty years ago, did he predict the ending of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2025 and their replacements, electric cars? Did he predict the Greening of cities by 2030? I think not. You have to ask the question; “how long will it be before a way of breaking down water into its 2 simple elements of hydrogen and oxygen takes place?” The oxygen released into the air and the hydrogen used to power engines?

Another point which needs raising on a completely different matter is the letter regarding the Ellar Ghyll waste transfer station. I wish to know how long the Labour Candidate has been on the City Council? To say, as Councillor Colin Campbell states "What she has actually done is support its closure for five days a week, along with a proposal to close it completely after a year”.

He has overlooked one thing she is not a Leeds City Councillor; therefore she could not vote one way or another to either keep the Ellar Ghyll site open or closed. No doubt she has stolen the Lib Dems election campaign to keep it open, just like they kept open the Police Station, the Post Office on Bradford Road, and the Civic Centre (it was only a matter of crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s and then work would start).

Cllr Nigel Francis,

Otley