Alan Marsden eloquently put the case for Robin Hood airport (Letters, 8 March) but neglected to enhance his point on access by rail. Access to the nearby east coast mainline from the airport by way of a short spur and further investment to add capacity to that line would mean a true northern hub to London with access to the City in just over an hour. It would also obviate the need to plough billions into a white elephant scheme for HS2 north of Birmingham, and further enhance the attraction of South Yorkshire to new business in a far shorter and more effective time.
Cllr Andrew Bosmans
Chair, Friends of Doncaster Sheffield Airport
• Why is it now taken for granted that airport expansion is good for the UK's economy? If most aircraft were full of executives eagerly grabbing contracts for UK manufacturing, there might be a need for the increase in airport capacity. However, most aircraft are full of holidaymakers. Heathrow alone takes delivery of 3.3 million gallons of aviation fuel per day. The emissions of CO2 and nitrous oxides are vast, making a major contribution to global warming. We should be thinking in terms of reducing airport capacity.
Caroline Compton
London