Leeds Bradford: Infrastructure & Construction Updates

[Aviador]

The speed at which the work is progressing, especially during the past few weeks, has been incredible. It ceiling does look a little small, but once everything has been painted in bright colours and the skylight is in, all should look very airy!

The skylight was planned for phase 2. There's no skylight planned for this phase so the lightings going to have to be good for it to look bright and airy.

 

[tleeds]

Oh right..!

Lets hope the Air Conditioning keeps the 'confined' space cool then!

 

[Aviador]

Another update:

The corrugated metal sheeting is now in place across the entire space which is to become the new shopping area. This evening the wall structure bordering the original 60's part of the airport and the new level is to be removed opening up the entire area connecting it with the former food village.

To the left of the picture you can now see inside the old 60's part of the building with the glass removed. This area was previously used as airport and airline offices.

This picture shows the area where the escalator and stairs will be positioned.

Contractors say the concrete pour will be done tomorrow night between 20:00 and 03:00 if all goes to plan.

 

[Aviador]

I have no pictures as yet to show how the new ceiling appears from the check-in hall but I don't think it looks bad at all.

 

[Hendia330]

Looking at your recent pics aviador it's looking pretty impressive so far looks like a massive area there opening up. keep the pics rolling in good work!!

 

[Aviador]

Here's another Leeds Bradford airport development update...

Morgan Sindall are progressing well with the new floor. The concrete pour has been completed and hoardings have gone up on the East side of the area ready to join the main departure area with the new shopping and retail zone. As it stands, Morgan Sindall say the work should be completed by mid April. I believe that is when the area will be handed over to shop fitters unless anybody knows different.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I visited the airport last weekend. Don't like the new low ceiling in the departures area. Very claustrophobic- puts me in mind of the basement check in level of LHR terminal 2 (as was). Most airports are going for the light and airy feel and getting away from low ceilings.

LbaYorkie

 

[Aviador]

I visited the airport last weekend. Don't like the new low ceiling in the departures area. Very claustrophobic- puts me in mind of the basement check in level of LHR terminal 2 (as was). Most airports are going for the light and airy feel and getting away from low ceilings.

LbaYorkie

I can sympathise with what you but I feel it was the best way to bring that part of the building in-line with the rest of the terminal. It always seemed silly to have an open area there which didn't match the rest of the terminal. In any case, I really don't think it looks bad at all. This picture of the check-in area at Cardiff is very similar to how the check-in area will look with regards to the ceiling height. I would say, leave your judgement until the work is complete.

Source: http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/images/h ... -desks.jpg

 

[EX9]

Apart from the fact they are keeping the tatty chewed up flooring which has had even more abuse since the works and has countless reems of duck tape all over. And then the old battered, dusty check in desks an belts that are falling to bits. Whats the point in doing half a job.

 

[EX9]

Because i have been told by those in the know they aren't going to do so.

 

[Aviador]

Because i have been told by those in the know they aren't going to do so.

Earlier in this thread somebody reported that "somebody in the know" had said the airside walkway wasn't going to be built. The question was then put to the airport authority by White Heather at the Consultative Committee and the airport insisted the walkway was still going ahead.

As for the flooring, I agree it looks a mess and it really does need sorting out. The airport has never said it intends to sort it out but the illustrations of the check-in hall area show a gleaming shiny floor and new permanently fitted crowd control Tensabarriers.

Source: LBIA website (click on the top left of the image to zoom in!)

Over the next few weeks both Superdrug and WHSmith's on the ground floor will be removed. When this happens new flooring will need to be laid in these areas. Hopefully the new flooring will extend into the check-in area. Perhaps the flooring question could be put to White Heather in the Consultative Committee Questions thread?

 

[White Heather]

And so it has, but sorry, I haven't seen the full specification. However, I cannot imagine spending all this money on the terminal and then leaving a tatty floor.Equally I cannot imagine anyone being so stupid as to replace it until towards the end of the project. Comared to other costs, the flooring is one of the cheaper elements of the work. Personally I wouldn't take any notice of anyone who claims to be 'in the know' as the majority of such claims prove to be nonsense.

 

[EX9]

Well without getting into particulars of who has said what it's from someone who is realiable and has information but that's not important. I raised it to them and they said its not within the plans they have seen to do so. But im pretty sure there is no plans to alter/change the check in deks and the area behind them, they are even worse than the floor itself.

Allthough i have had a good look at that picture before and if it does match that then i agree it will look pretty impressive. However, the fact that the images used contradict information told for example the floor and the fact that those desks have been taken from some other design with them having BAA labels all over them and simply reversed and the tenser barriers being replaced for that of all the airline ones currently in place.

 

[Aviador]

You may well be right. We only have a few weeks to wait before we will know for sure. As I said previously the areas where the shops currently are will definitely need resurfacing and the airport wont have an option to just leave it as it is.

 

[EX9]

What are they going to put in place of the shops? As its very narrow getting down into hall A without the hoardings up. Will that mean no landside shops bar ritazza? As more space will be formed from the void of the old stairs and escalators aswell.

 

[Aviador]

What are they going to put in place of the shops? As its very narrow getting down into hall A without the hoardings up. Will that mean no landside shops bar ritazza? As more space will be formed from the void of the old stairs and escalators aswell.

Drat, 😢 I just deleted a massive post by accident and I don't know if I can be bothered to redo it right now.

Anyway, yes the whole area from when you walk into the Terminal will be opened up so you should be able to see the main check-in hall from the entrance. Unless the plans have changed I understand part of the area where Superdrug currently is will be used to extend domestic arrivals slightly along with a much smaller WHSmith's store unless the plans have changed. The Ritazza coffee shop will stay as it is.

 

[Aviador]

I've had a peep at what's left to do and I think this pretty much sums it up.
Still to do...

Removal of the current WHSmith's (landside).
Removal of the current Superdrug (landside).
Removal of the current Alpha Duty Free outlet (airside)
Removal of the current SSP retail unit near the escalators on the first floor.(airside)
Removal of the current SSP food village on the ground floor.(airside)
Installation of flooring and ceiling in the new departure retail area.(airside)
Installation of the new seating on the ground floor of departures (airside)
Installation of the new SSP outlet "The Saltaire Bar" on the first floor of departures near escalators (airside)
Installation of the new Camden Foods Co outlet in the old former landside food village.(airside) http://www.camdenfoodco.com/
Installation of the new World Duty Free outlet in the old former landside food Village (airside)
Installation of the new WHSmith's store in the new retail area (airside)
Installation of the new Superdrug store in the new retail area (airside)
Installation of the new Travellex store in the new retail area (airside)
Installation of the new family lounge (airside)
Installation of ceiling and flooring in the new retail area. (airside)
Construct the new passenger walkway. (airside)
Installation of ceiling in the check-in hall. (landside)
Installation of new lifts

I think that's just about it. As mentioned above, there is cosmetic work still also to do on the ground floor where the old WHSmiths and Superdrug stores are.

NOTE: For non locals reading this, the name The Saltaire originates from Saltaire in Shipley near Bradford which is famous for it's World heritage site Salts Mills http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltaire

 

[Jordan-34092]

I still think there should have been a resturant landside for the family and friends of the passengers, perhaps even a few shops

 

[wawkrk]

I was in the airport yesterday. I didn't find the height of the ceiling in the check-in area particularly bad. It would be nice to have a high ceiling but I think it's ok.After all, this is the part of the airport where you will spend less time so better to use the space elsewhere.
The business lounge changes are well under way and it looks a lot bigger, whether it actually is or not I am not sure.Maybe the walls will be moved some more. KLM passengers now have their own designated area.

wawkrk

 

[Aviador]

Learnt Yesterday WHSmith's are apparently going to be having three stores. This is a real shame if it's correct, more of the space should have been given to other retail companies rather than having loads of Smith's stores. Surely just one suitably sized Smith's store would have been enough. In contrast, Superdrug now say they're expecting a smaller store. As always you can't believe anything until you see it with your own eyes but I do hope this information isn't true.

As for how the work is progressing. Internal walls are now being installed to the back of the area shown in the above pictures. It has become clear now that passengers will be required to walk from the top of the new escalator in a horse shoe manor towards the World Duty Free, Camden Foods Co and Burger King before turning back towards the new Family Lounge and Premier Lounge area. Looking at the plans again, it would appear that all passengers will have to walk through the World Duty Free shop before heading back towards the main lounge. If this is definitely the case, I can understand the need to maximise the throughput of passengers through the retail area but some passengers, particularly those who are running late will be far from impressed. That is unless the airport are planning to have cut through's so passengers can cross the retail area.

Here's how it appears the passenger flow will look.