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Leeds-Bradford Airport: Growth plans 'may be left on runway'
The growth of Leeds Bradford International Airport will be restricted because of plans to build a third runway at Heathrow, it has been claimed.
Passengers are also likely to face higher taxes in a bid to curb carbon emissions.
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A report by the Committee for Climate Change – set up to independently advise the government on how to meet its legally binding targets – raises questions about expansion of LBIA.
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The report states that it will be possible to build a third runway at Heathrow, add runways at Stansted and Edinburgh and permit an extra 140 million journeys a year by 2050 without breaking the UK's commitment to cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
However, the 60 per cent increase in air travel will come at a cost of choking off expansion at regional airports.
The report has been seized on by the Tories, who oppose Heathrow's expansion.
Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said: "Labour's approach could see regions yet again lose out as regional airports are left to wither on the vine to give headroom for the massive carbon footprint caused by Heathrow expansion."
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The Government planned for 1.6 million more aircraft movements at airports other than Heathrow by 2050.
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However, the new cap recommended by the climate change committee combined with the impact of a third runway at Heathrow means that other airports would be constrained to one million more flights.
The Tories claims that "because of the third runway at Heathrow, other airports no longer have the same scope for expansion they otherwise would have".
The report says ministers must consider measures including a carbon tax on passengers, limits on runway expansion and restrictions on flights at existing airports.
The suggested limit of 60 per cent passenger growth over the next four decades compares with an increase of 130 per cent since 1990.
LBIA's owners Bridgepoint have a 70m plan to expand the terminal and handle 5.1 million passengers a year by 2016.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
