A THIRD of bosses at West Yorkshire small businesses prefer flying from Manchester Airport rather than Leeds Bradford – because it is quicker to reach.
Up to 30 per cent of the firms questioned by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said the motorway network made driving to Manchester Airport faster than battling along West Yorkshire's increasingly congested roads to Yeadon.
This was despite the fact it is much further – 56 miles from Leeds compared to nine miles.
But Leeds Bradford Airport could become their first choice for flights if it improved its choice of destinations (said 37 per cent of small businesses ), if an airport rail link were built (36.2%) and if road access were improved.
FSB West Yorkshire Regional chairman Mike Goodman, a Birstall-based businessman, said: "Several respondents say it is unbelievable that an international airport does not have a rail or motorway access. "This is one of the most striking findings of our survey. "Other key points are that traffic congestion is continuing to harm small businesses through delays and missed meetings. "Many feel there is under-investment in West Yorkshire's transport infrastructure, with specific complaints about the poor state of roads in Leeds and Kirklees which, it is also pointed out, is hardly likely to encourage cyclists. "In spite of this, it is clear that some business people could be persuaded to leave their cars at home and use public transport instead but, to achieve this, operating companies will have to ensure that they meet their needs. This is currently not the case for many.
Congestion
"The hardship caused by traffic congestion is that some of our members travelling less than ten miles to work take more than 30 minutes to reach their destination." The survey covered businesses across West Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Cleckheaton, Batley and Dewsbury. More than 95% of businesses said road congestion was a problem and 62.2% added it was a significant problem, with half blaming traffic volumes and poor road design and planning as the main causes. Eighty per cent of businesses felt traffic congestion had worsened in the last 12 months and the same number said they "often or always" avoided certain roads because of congestion which added to travel time and costs. A total of 45.7% believed that charging road users would have a detrimental effect on business, and 52.8% feared that it would cause financial hardship to many people. Only five per cent considered congestion charging to be a viable solution with 33% wanting to see investment in a light railway or tram system and 20% seeking greater investment in buses. Nearly 60% said they had lost man hours due to the transport infrastructure and 42.5% said it had increased their operating costs, while 20% said they had lost business as a result of traffic congestion. Two thirds felt that West Yorkshire did not get its fair share of transport investment from the Government and 70% supported a tram system linking major cities in West Yorkshire, although there was uncertainty on the best way to fund it.
Source: Leeds Today
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