THE recent announcement concerning increased passenger numbers for Cardiff Airport is welcome news.

However, no amount of active marketing can mask the fact that transport infrastructure is the one of the key elements in securing the future of the airport. There is no direct link with the M4 and a rail service should feed into the airport itself.

Several years ago there was an expensive consultation programme regarding the local road network, which included an option for a direct road link from the airport to the M4. Result: nothing was done - probably because of vested interests in the rural Vale. I'm sure the Welsh Government and the Vale of Glamorgan Council are aware of these deficiencies, but until they address the issue of transport infrastructure, the progress that can be made at Cardiff Airport will be severely limited.

In addition, these authorities must also be aware that this is also a bugbear for local people. With thousands more houses planned, neither the Vale or our so-called representatives in Cardiff Bay show any inclination to undertake the major work required to prevent gridlock on the major routes into and from the Vale. If they want the local economy and the Vale to thrive these issues must be addressed. Not to do so is an abdication of responsibility.

Derek Hooper

Radnor Green

Barry