A GOVERNMENT minister has accepted there is a “strong case” for investing in a rail link to Leeds Bradford Airport.

Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, made the comment in the House of Commons last week in response to a question from Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West).

Mr Mulholland, whose constituency includes the Yeadon airport, has long campaigned for the need for both a rail link and the electrification of the Leeds-Harrogate-York railway line.

The envisaged rail link would be a 1.1 mile track connected to that line, whose electrification would allow for faster and more frequent services.

Mr Mulholland recently led a cross-party delegation to discuss both issues with Mr Alexander, and the airport was visited shortly afterwards by transport minister Baroness Susan Kramer, who acknowledged the rail link’s potential benefits.

Addressing Mr Alexander in the Commons last week, Mr Mulholland referred to the Government’s Electrification Task Force’s report.

He said: “The report said that in tier 1 the Harrogate-Leeds-York line should be prioritised, but does the minister agree that we must also put in the 1.1 mile of track to connect Yorkshire’s Leeds Bradford Airport?”

The minister replied: “There is a strong case for investment in the Harrogate-Leeds-York line and in the rail link to the airport.

“Ensuring that degree of connectivity for one of the fastest growing airports in the country, which has huge potential for growth, could also take off the roads the traffic caused by people travelling to other airports in the country.

“We shall be considering the matter carefully.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Mulholland said: “Following last week’s report, we are one step nearer to seeing the Leeds-Harrogate-York line electrified and it is encouraging to see support for a rail link from two ministers in the last week.

“Both these projects must happen as part of improvements which will benefit not just airport passengers but will increase commuter trains and passenger numbers.

“Local residents and businesses know the many benefits both projects could bring for Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region.”

The number of passengers passing through Leeds Bradford is expected to rise to 5.1 million in 2016, but currently more than 90 per cent of people use private vehicles to reach the airport.

During her visit Baroness Kramer said local residents and businesses had “spoken loud and clear about the benefits of a rail link to Yorkshire as a whole”.