Leeds Bradford: Infrastructure & Construction Updates

[LBAYORKIE]

Presumably the damage done by the pandemic changed things.

The CEO stated that the Investment Company that owns the airport doesn't have pots of money sloshing around to invest in airport infrastructure and the airport had to be self sufficient. But, even if they did have the money, it still makes no sense to spend millions on the apron when the terminal constraints mean that additional based aircraft can't be accommodated . The plan is to sort the terminal, remove the constraints, generate additional business, and then build stands as they are needed. Let's be grateful that the apron extensions are officially in the plan. It's obvious that LBA know that the number of based aircraft will increase as the terminal is transformed and once airlines sign up to that, they will have to build the stands.

It does make me wonder if the change in funding policy had anything to do with the withdrawal of the planning application.

 

[White Heather]

It does make me wonder if the change in funding policy had anything to do with the withdrawal of the planning application.

I honestly believe that a combination of the pandemic together with rampant inflation would have killed off the new terminal. However, that has never been stated by LBA management. It's just my conclusion. What they did say was that the original scheme cost of £150m would now be considerably more. In excess of £250m. Probably unaffordable for an airport recovering from a couple of years of disruption and mounting losses, and particularly given today's interest rates. The beauty of the extension scheme is it's less than half the cost. LBA quoted up to £40m on the extension, another £40m on the existing terminal and the cost of apron extension(s) isn't known, as it will depend on how many new stands are constructed, and when. The funding is also required in three parts, not all in one go, making it easier to secure.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I honestly believe that a combination of the pandemic together with rampant inflation would have killed off the new terminal. However, that has never been stated by LBA management. It's just my conclusion. What they did say was that the original scheme cost of £150m would now be considerably more. In excess of £250m. Probably unaffordable for an airport recovering from a couple of years of disruption and mounting losses, and particularly given today's interest rates. The beauty of the extension scheme is it's less than half the cost. LBA quoted up to £40m on the extension, another £40m on the existing terminal and the cost of apron extension(s) isn't known, as it will depend on how many new stands are constructed, and when. The funding is also required in three parts, not all in one go, making it easier to secure.

You would think if they had £150m ring fenced then they wouldnt baulk at shelling out £40m. Seems a bit strange.

 

[Aviador]

In my opinion they have to go ahead now. If they don't, their investment in LBA will be lost and nobody would want to take on a new planning application without passenger numbers in the bag. The 7m (6.8m to be pedantic) is only guaranteed under the current planning consent.

 

[Easy289]

£80m terminal investment for extension and refurb is still to be welcomed.

 

[Aviador]

£80m terminal investment for extension and refurb is still to be welcomed.

I think the total investment amounts to more that that.

 

[White Heather]

I think the total investment amounts to more that that.

£80m is what the CEO quoted for the terminal works and that's after receiving the contractors tender bids back and interviewing them . So it should be fairly accurate. The CEO said it would be going ahead. The only thing to stop it would be no funding but he had a forthcoming appointment about that and was very confident the funding wouldn't be an issue. His words were that they wouldn't have come this far if they thought they couldn't fund it.

You would think if they had £150m ring fenced then they wouldnt baulk at shelling out £40m. Seems a bit strange.

Clearly anything ring fenced before the pandemic, wasn't when we emerged the other side. Like I said, I think there's more to it than is publicised and I think if there was money ring fenced, it disappeared during the pandemic or when the new terminal was axed.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

£80m is what the CEO quoted for the terminal works and that's after receiving the contractors tender bids back and interviewing them . So it should be fairly accurate. The CEO said it would be going ahead. The only thing to stop it would be no funding but he had a forthcoming appointment about that and was very confident the funding wouldn't be an issue. His words were that they wouldn't have come this far if they thought they couldn't fund it.


Clearly anything ring fenced before the pandemic, wasn't when we emerged the other side. Like I said, I think there's more to it than is publicised and I think if there was money ring fenced, it disappeared during the pandemic or when the new terminal was axed.

I have my own views on why the airport pulled their planning application but I dont think a public forum like this is the best place to discuss them.

 

[Easy289]

Apparently the terminal extension and refurb contract (Project X25) is sheduled to last 35 months, commencing 01/07/23 and terminating 01/06/26. LBA is now recruiting for a Quantity Surveyor.

 

[White Heather]

Apparently the terminal extension and refurb contract (Project X25) is sheduled to last 35 months, commencing 01/07/23 and terminating 01/06/26. LBA is now recruiting for a Quantity Surveyor.

Which suggests funding is secure, although it's an odd time to get a QS. There's usually a QS involved from the very start otherwise there's nobody qualified to determine whether tenders are sensible or plain daft. That's the QS's job at the outset. Not the architect.

It would also be more usual to employ the services of a QS, rather than recruit one to work for the airport company?

 

[AndyL]

The post advertised on the LBA website is for an engineering project manager - is that the same as quantity surveyor?

I now see that the quantity survey role is in addition to the project manager one

 

[White Heather]

The post advertised on the LBA website is for an engineering project manager - is that the same as quantity surveyor?

I now see that the quantity survey role is in addition to the project manager one

It appears then, that LBA are going to manage the project in house rather than appoint a full panel of consultants.
It's good to see these ads though as you don't recruit a Project Engineer and QS for a project that isn't definite. The sooner it gets underway, the better!

 

[Aviador]

Employed by LBA should mean they put the company's interests before the contractors.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Employed by LBA should mean they put the company's interests before the contractors.

You would like to think so.

 

[White Heather]

Employed by LBA should mean they put the company's interests before the contractors.

Any QS should do the same really. They are there to protect the clients funds, whilst at the same time being fair to the contractor.

 

[lbaspotter]

Check-In Hall looks a lot better now the works are completed, Its not my picture but this has been posted online elsewhere by George Kaplan on Sky Scraper City Forum / LBA thread here: https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/leeds-bradford-international-airport.437261/page-393

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Check-In Hall looks a lot better now the works are completed, Its not my picture but this has been posted online elsewhere by George Kaplan on Sky Scraper City Forum / LBA thread here: https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/leeds-bradford-international-airport.437261/page-393

Reminds me of some terminals I have visited reserved for budget carriers. Passengers for the other airlines use the main terminal.

 

[HX3]

I actually think it looks ok now we see the finished article. It’s a definite improvement on what we had.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I actually think it looks ok now we see the finished article. It’s a definite improvement on what we had.

You probably gathered I dont rate it. Definitely a budget offering, looks and feels like a cellar. Having said that I favour function over form any day.

 

[Aviador]

Image: George Kaplan
I'm pleased with the finished product. Significantly better than what it was before and so much better now we can see most of the check in area. Once security move and the escalators at the back of security go, it will open up the whole area.