You do have to consider that only lantiq based ADSL/ VDSL modems currently have full modem support - and all of them will require a roughly similar procedure for the initial flashing.
There are basically two options which might be a little easier.
- you can sometimes find the BT Home Hub 5a preflashed with LEDE, these are around ~3 times more expensive that the vanilla variant (which would need similar efforts for the initial flash as your td-w8970)
- apparently there is a 'simpler' approach for the Arcadyan VGV7510KW22 (o2 Box 6431), by abusing the the vendor's brnboot based recovery
Installing LEDE/u-boot via brnboot web interface (without rs232)
Hardware wise, the BT Home Hub 5a is a much better option - if you get one preflashed with LEDE, you can just sysupgrade straight ahead.