Integrated Design Project

Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Proposed Routes ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Route Description ............................................................................................................................... 4
Route 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Route 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Route 3 ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Route Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Method ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Results ............................................................................................................................................. 4
The Recommended Route ...................................................................................................................... 4
Route Location .................................................................................................................................... 4
Geotechnical Evaluation ..................................................................................................................... 4
Structural Design................................................................................................................................. 4
Environmental Impact......................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to identify the optimum route for a tram/light railway linking
Horsforth Station to Leeds Bradford Airport.
Method
The study will begin by outlining and discussing three possible routes which will then be
narrowed down using a rating system; this will help to determine a final recommended route. Once
a route has been established an outline design will be conducted along with a suggested station
configuration that will link the train line with the airport terminal building. A cost-benefit analysis
will be used to determine if the route is financially feasible.
Background
They planned to develop the airport to handle more passengers and expand economic
opportunities and, at the time of purchase, proposed to invest 70 million. The number of
passengers is planned to increase from 3 million per year in 2007 to 7 million per year in 2015.
There is concern about access to the airport as public transport is limited to buses and the road
network is limited and congested. The airport operators and the West Yorkshire Public Transport
Executive would like to improve the public transport rail/tram links to the airport from Leeds city
centre. Rapid movement of passengers from the city centre to the airport would enable passengers
to use the existing well developed train and bus routes both locally and regionally to Leeds city and
hence to the airport, reducing reliance on the local roads.

Proposed Routes
In this section potential routes will be discussed and analysed to find the optimum passage between
Horsforth Station and Leeds Bradford Airport.

Route Descriptions
All routes will begin from Horsforth Station and spur off from the existing line to the airport.
Route 1
Route one leaves to the left of the existing track within 200m of the station with a radius of 200m
allowing a 20kph speed. The track the straightens out as it quickly climbs through relatively steep
gradients in a North Westerly direction before beginning to curve around Beech House (Grade II
Listed) to head north past the village of Scotland. Once the line has left the village it begins to
gradually curve towards the airport here it crosses Scotland lane, here the road will go over the
railway with the construction of a bridge. The line then continues on its curve before entering the
airport through the car park and running alongside the embankment.
Route 2
Route two leaves the main line on the left and steadily climbs on a large curve past the rear of Beech
House (Grade II Listed) it then heads north through the middle of Owlet Farm where it continues
north past Dean Grange Farm before beginning to turn towards the airport. Crossing the road and
through the car park the line then runs into the station next to the terminal.
Route 3
Route Three is the longest of the three routes, running north almost parallel to the main line it
gradually gains height following a series of large radii curves until Dean Grange Farm. From here the
line runs through a cutting gaining height before curving round to directly west towards the airport.
The line crosses the road on a bridge then running on to an embankment through the old school and
on through the car park.

Route Analysis
Method
A study of the factors that will affect the construction of the routes will be carried out and used to
rate the routes in order of constructability. The routes will then be rated on their impact on the
environment and the surrounding population.
Results

The Recommended Route

Route Location
Geotechnical Evaluation
Structural Design
Environmental Impact
All routes will begin from Horsforth Station as this will be the change for the airport link line.