AIRPORT chiefs say they will improve bus links and create a rail link in a bid to drive down the number of passengers clogging nearby roads with cars every day.

Leeds Bradford Airport's Surface Access Strategy 2000 - drawn up in line with Government requirements - says almost 80 per cent of passengers currently travel to the airport by car.

Now bosses at Leeds Bradford International Airport want to encourage more passengers to use public transport, and are already planning better bus links, and a rail link in the long term.

They aim to get ten per cent of passengers travelling on public transport by 2009.

But one councillor was sceptical about any attempt to part people from their cars.

Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale), said: "It's going to take an awful lot to persuade people to travel by public transport. Those who have cars will find travelling by bus an unattractive option."

He said the best solution to the airport traffic problem would be to stamp out rat running on smaller roads - particularly Scotland Lane, Horsforth - and improve signs on major roads.

Airport engineering manager John Wallis said: "The strategy is designed to enable it to be easier for people to use public transport. In terms of rail travel, we are initially looking to use Guiseley Station, then ultimately a feasibility study about a new station on the Horsforth line."

However, any new rail link would not be open before 2009.

A questionnaire of passengers revealed that in addition to the 78 per cent travelling by privately-owned cars, that 20 per cent went to the airport by taxis. This led to an increase of traffic on main roads such as the A660 Leeds Road and A658 Bradford- Harrogate Road.

Around 140,000 passengers are likely to be getting to the airport by car in each of the peak summer months - roughly 4,700 every day.

But those living around the main routes to the airport are already concerned about the spiralling number of passengers using their roads to connect with flights.

Residents of Bramhope recently complained about taxis and other cars using residential streets as a shortcut to the ever-expanding airport.

And rush-hour traffic jams are already a problem at The Dyneley Arms crossroads, Pool-in-Wharfedale, on the A660, and the Rawdon crossroads on the A658.

Passenger numbers at the airport have steadily risen for the past five years.