Future Infrastructure Developments

[White Heather]

I think it unlikely that they would re-design the terminal extension to make it smaller as that would then require a re-submission for planning consent? They may just be opening this lane to use until such time as the terminal expansion goes ahead then re-locate it as part of that scheme. I assume this is the lane mentioned in the recent announcement about charging mini buses £7 to get in?

 

[BigMac]

As far as I was led to believe, the new lane will be for arrow taxi's only. No buses, coaches or other private hire vehicles. I would assume they would stick to what they do now

 

[Aviador]

Whoever uses the new lane, Arrow or otherwise, I've just measured the distance between where a dual lane would go to where the extended terminal was planned to go and it appears to measures up as 20 metres. In my original post I mentioned a 20 metre buffer zone but the distance is actually 30 metres, not 20 metres.

This article is referring to Gatwick airport but the requirement is the same at all UK airports.

Alongside this work, the North Terminal Forecourt project involves realignment and re-construction of the existing airport roads, plus drop-off zones and bus lay-by facilities and provides a minimum 30 metre security buffer zone between public vehicles and the front of the terminal building. The NTF project is primarily to improve airport passenger capacity and increased security in the light of the abortive terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport two years ago when a vehicle tried to ram into the terminal building's frontage.
http://www.costain.com/news/features/20 ... twick.aspx

The the size of the planned terminal development will need to be reduced to maintain the government requirement of 30 metres buffer zone between the public vehicles and the terminal building.

 

[User0001]

The the size of the planned terminal development will need to be reduced to maintain the government requirement of 30 metres buffer zone between the public vehicles and the terminal building.

Or they just remodel the road when they eventually build the terminal extension?

 

[White Heather]

Which avoids having to go for an amendment to the planning consent. Re-modelling is the simple solution, not changing the building plans - that was the point I was trying to make in my previous post last Thursday.

 

[Galaxy]

Got an Arrow Taxi from the airport last night, and the driver told me that select Arrow drivers are going to be allowed to drop off right at the entrance doors. Those who have been selected have had to have a CRC check and have their fingerprints taken. Access will be controlled by a barrier that is fingerprint scan activated.

 

[EX9]

Surely that defeats the objective of having the 30m clearance if a taxi/minibus can drive right to the doors containing unknown said persons and their undisclosed luggage depsite the driver having been checked by CRB/DS or even MI5.

 

[Galaxy]

Agreed, and the taxi driver even said this himself. Let's face it though, if any would be nut job wanted to blow up an airport they could just walk in with the bomb in their suitcase. With that in mind, I don't think the vehicle barrier is much use anyway, it just prevents people from driving their car into a terminal building like at Glasgow.

 

[LBA787]

Any chance then the catering operation is to be expanded at LBIA?

No not that i know of. Alpha flight group and LSG sky chiefs have just merged so the companies focus is far from expanding LBA at the moment. The bonded warehouse is in a worse state size wise as there is only just enough space to pack Jet2 and bmi bars. Come the summer they will have to truck over Ryanair, Monarch and Thomson on a daily basis from MAN.

I believe there was some land put aside in the original master plan for an enlarged purpose built catering unit/bonded warehouse down by Scotland lane but I don't know what the new plan will be like.

It needs addressing but with my experience at both alpha and LSG if it doesn't say London Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester above the door they don't want to know!

:crazy:

 

[Aviador]

Airlines have been reducing the on board food offering for years. Low cost airlines sell very little on board. Long haul flights are probably the only flights that still up-take a full catering offering so there's no point in building new catering facilities at LBA when LBA only has a limited number of long haul flights.

 

[Aviador]

Quick update:

Not entirely sure what the work is to entail but work to refurbish the ground floor departure area is continuing with much of the ceiling tiles removed and various electrical work underway. Close by, work to complete the enlarged CSZ to provide additional screening capacity is still yet to be done.

 

[User0001]

'Re the Masterplan, work is continuing on this and will be stepped up considerably after Christmas. The report will be published mid 2013 but prior to that LBA will be undertaking major consultation with the public. A full presentation on what is likely to be in the Masterplan will ble given at the next meeting, but it was confirmed this includes enhancing the road approaches to the airport to make it visually more appealing,,

Is there any update to the very delayed Masterplan? We are now into the 3rd month of the year and i've not seen any public consultation. Extra aircraft parking stands are vitally required to allow any sort of growth as there is no flexibility. When is the next meeting White Heather?

regards, lufc pete

 

[White Heather]

Two weeks time Pete. Yes the Masterplan was delayed, but it is now very much a work in progress. I will update you after the next meeting as I feels sure it will be on the agenda, although that hasn't been sent out yet.

 

[User0001]

thanks White Heather

 

[White Heather]

The Airport Masterplan was not on the agenda at todays meeting and the only information given was that the schedule for the consultation process will be published on the aiport website soon. It is clear that the airport are working on it - I asked a question about the number of aircraft stands and it was confirmed that recommendations for future stand requirements have been made to the MD as part of the planning process.

It was also confirmed that the final works to the terminal, including the reconfiguration to the security screening area, will be completed for Easter. There will be an increase in scanners from 4 to 6, tables to put down bags etc whilst preparing for the scanners, putting liquids in bags etc, and seats for customers having to put shoes on etc afterwards. Plastic bags will now be provided free of charge. All scanners will be turned through 90 degrees. LBA are also looking at opening check in desks earlier as a recent survey found that 20% of passengers arrived at least an hour before check in opens.

On the thorny issue of the non working escalator in arrivals, the MD confirmed that when it was built, it was acceptable for the number of passengers using it and the existing H&S guidelines. Now, H&S rules have changed and although the escalator is in full working order, it has to be switched off to comply with H&S directives. LBA has no choice but to comply. It was acknowledged that this is a matter to be addressed within future developments of the terminal, but it isn't going to change any time soon. Passengers who need help should ask for it, or book in advance on the airport website if they need a wheelchair.

 

[airforced]

On the thorny issue of the non working escalator in arrivals, the MD confirmed that when it was built, it was acceptable for the number of passengers using it and the existing H&S guidelines. Now, H&S rules have changed and although the escalator is in full working order, it has to be switched off to comply with H&S directives. LBA has no choice but to comply. It was acknowledged that this is a matter to be addressed within future developments of the terminal, but it isn't going to change any time soon. Passengers who need help should ask for it, or book in advance on the airport website if they need a wheelchair.

Another example of H & S in la la land by the looks of it. If what is being said is correct I think it would be in LBAs' interest to put some signage near the 'offending' escalator to prevent then getting slagged off every time someone walks past it in its' non-operative state.

Better still do something about it so they can switch it on! Sorry for being silly.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

White heather interesting on Security. But are we 100% sure then when the full summer programme (well for easter) hits, they are not going to act shocked that there is suddenly 500-600 pax alone flying within the space of THIRTY minutes all wanting to get through. Cause lets admit it, the security for the start of summer for the last 2 seasons at this airport has being well sh*t. I mean it's not exactly a suprise that there is 10-30% more people using it but it does come as that for Security. Lets hope there ready, as they are the only real thorn in LBA'S side for a good successfull summer.

Off topic. One of my lecturers once had one hour que at security. He simply complained to the airport saying "the time it took me to get through the security is the same time it would of taken my to drive and get through at Manchester".

 

[lbia]

Regarding the escalator that's never turned on, perhaps an 'international' airport should invest in a new escalator (like the ones seen in most shopping centres/airports/train stations etc) that have sensors and automatically switch off when A- no one is using it and B- when too many people are using it.
LBA management are shockingly penny pinching. Their usual response is some legislation that prevents a solution to the problem. NO, the solution to the problem is just spend a bit of money and do a proper job (for once) and actually care about creating an 'outstanding regional airport'

It's all well and good bringing in more flights and airlines but if the actual operational infrastructure (gates/stands/doors/lifts/escalators) was touched then the airport would be able to cope. The management may be good at getting people through the door, but they are total sales men and are completely dillusional of they think LBA will cope this year.

Three airlines (I won't mention names) are in discussion with LBA regarding their lacking facilities and the amount of delay code 87 (airport facilities) their flights are going down to. Any one that works within LBA will agree that it's great to see terminal improvements, but they NEED to follow through and improve the parts that are actually causing problems. It's very hard to explain as most on lookers see a sparkly new terminal, where in reality once you get past the new floors and new duty free shop, it's still a horrendous layout and an accident waiting to happen (oh yeah, it has several times) but until someone takes the airport to court, they will not do anything about the shoddy airside facilities.

 

[White Heather]

LBA have modelled the security requirements over and over again to see what is required at different times of day, and this has been done with Omniserve who provide the security. At peak times all 6 lanes will be open, and at less busy times this will reduce. They are fully aware of the criticisms over queuing times and said yesterday it was not unreasonable criticism, and they are determined to do something about it, and it was confirmed it would be fully operational by Easter.

As for the escalator, the H&S issue relates to circulation space at the top and bottom, so replacing the escalator won't work. You can't have an escalator that just stops without warning whilst passengers are half way up it. There is insufficient space for it to operate safely (according to latest H&S legislation) and structural building works are therefore likely to resolve it. Again, LBA are very much aware of the problem and the need to resolve it. I have raised it previously and it was raised again yesterday by others, so it isn't a subject that is going to go away any time soon. They know it has to be sorted, along with other issues such as the baggage reclaim area. Hopefully it will feature in the plans to be published soon?

Nicholas - I can only relay what has been said. I can't say that I am 100% sure about anything, but the airport seem sure and there will be a lot of disapointment if there isn't an improvement over last year, given the investment they are making into this area.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

White Heather:
First of all a thanks for all the work you put in.
Re "Circulation Space" is this words for ensuring space for those exiting the escalator or being stopped at the bottom.
Is not possible at peak times to have two people at the bottom and top, who ensure numbers on the escalator are acceptable.
In my previous life as a Commercial Director for a u.k. retail chain, we had problems with escalators in shops, however, manning at the top and bottom was often a means to resolve issues. As any issues with escalators impacted on takings figures, was imperative, they functioned 24/7, find it hard to believe there is not a solution other then switch off. We could not take risks with H & S, but solutions were found.
Managements hands should be held to the fire, until they sort out.