'Ongoing discussions' with Leeds Bradford Airport for works

The southbound carriageway of the airport tunnel in Victoria Avenue, in Yeadon shut from 7pm yesterday until 6am this morning for resurfacing works.

These overnight works will continue until 6am on Sunday.

The northbound carriageway through the tunnel, which is one of the main routes to get to LBA from Bradford and other areas and features the airport's singular runway atop it, will remain open during the works.

The southbound carriageway of the airport tunnel on Victoria Avenue, in Yeadon, which is closed overnight for four day (Image: Telegraph & Argus) A spokesperson for Leeds City Council (LCC) revealed this is on the back of "ongoing discussions" with LBA, in an attempt to "minimise disruption for passengers traveling to catch early morning flights".

They said: "As a result, access to the airport will remain open during the works.

"Regrettably, this will not be the case for those leaving the airport during this brief period of time."

A huge diversion route is in place for anyone wanting to head south, via Harrogate Road, Pool Bank New Road, then Leeds Road/Otley Road and onto Horsforth to get through to Rawdon.

Councillors in the area questioned yesterday why the northbound half of the tunnel, which is a dual carriageway, could “not be made two-way for the duration of the works” and said, and also claimed they "were not consulted on the suggested alternative route".

Leeds Bradford Airport, in Yeadon (Image: Telegraph & Argus) The spokesperson for LCC said: "Our priority is always to limit disruption for all road users but following detailed discussions with our colleagues in Network Management and the contractor, it has been determined that a contraflow system is not feasible in this instance.

"The southbound carriageway at the airport’s southern exit narrows to approximately 6.9 meters, which is 600mm short of the minimum width required for a contraflow using cones.

"For this reason, we are left with no alternative but to implement an overnight diversion during this phase of the works.”

Full statement from LCC

"We have been in ongoing discussions with Leeds Bradford Airport to minimise disruption for passengers traveling to catch early morning flights.

"As a result, access to the airport will remain open during the works.

"Regrettably, this will not be the case for those leaving the airport during this brief period of time.

"Our priority is always to limit disruption for all road users but following detailed discussions with our colleagues in Network Management and the contractor, it has been determined that a contraflow system is not feasible in this instance.

"The southbound carriageway at the airport’s southern exit narrows to approximately 6.9 meters, which is 600mm short of the minimum width required for a contraflow using cones.

"For this reason, we are left with no alternative but to implement an overnight diversion during this phase of the works.”