Future Infrastructure Developments

[whoshotjimmi]

If I may play devil's advocate for a second, this argument is somewhat moot as, had the shelter not been built, we would all be sat here now talking about the lack of a shelter and how bridgepoint never listen to their customers etc etc.

To each their own. Some will like it, some won't. What we can't do is complain once the investment has been made. It is when there is no investment at all that we need to worry. If this shelter isn't perfect, I'm sure improvements can be made. On the other hand, it has to be balanced against the budget and the passenger need. I can't comment personally as I am yet to use the airport this year. However, it would appear from the pictures and location of the shelter that it serves primarily as a bit of cover for passengers who would probably be walking to/from the terminal anyway. In less good weather, I would assume that it reduces the demand on the buses.

It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But then neither are Leeds United and I'm certain White Heather would defend them to the hilt.

 

[Seasider]

Do you think that this discussion (which has been very interesting) highlights the fact that in today's society there are far more people with mobility problems than 30 years ago. Or is it because of our inclusive society, more people are travelling by air and are prepared to try and overcome these problems in the pursuit of "broadening their horizons".
When I flew to Majorca at the end of Sept/beginning of Oct, I went out from an Airbridge and bussed in from Stand 21 (I believe) so forgot to have a look, hence my request for a picture. I shall be using the airport again in 5 weeks so I will have a look or sample the walkway and make comment.
Until then I will carry on reading this interesting thread. :hatsoff:

 

[wawkrk]

I don't think the walkway is all that bad though just a bit narrow as already said.The point with the steps should be a seperate issue really but as the length of walk has increased, it becomes more important. People are living longer these days and like to travel.Although they may be fit for their ages, the old legs and lungs do become worn out.I guess many are too proud to ask for assistance. If they did, the arrivals may become clogged up with wheelchairs.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Can I respond as I made one of the early comment on the walkway. I think it is a great addition to the facilities at LBA.
My issue is that the airport obviously being aware that not floor to ceiling walls seems to be taking no steps to clear the build up of rubbish.
Being an oldie and both myself and partner have walking difficulties whilst a long walk no worse then other airports. Walkway is quite narrow so the two of us could restrict people trying to push past. We always use the lift on the return so the stair cases are not an issue.
White Heather realise there is a wheel chair service, but when I got a diploma in rehabilitation for walking 400 metres last year thought I had won an olympic medal, is like winning a gold medal if I manage a long walk, the last thing my rehabilitation team need is for me to be run round the airport in a wheel chair and then sit on the aircraft for 3 hours.
Booking in at T2 in Malaga, going to T3 for security and then back to T2 Zone B for the flight is what I would call a walk. Until this May on landing when you had to exit T3 back to T2 for luggage was a marathon. Like LBA, Malaga is undergoing huge development, hopefully the end results will justify all the disruption.

 

[Aviador]

Very good point about the rubbish and it's something I've noticed. I don't know who is responsible for rubbish dropped on the walkway but terminal cleaners are sparse as it is without asking them to clean the 750 metres of walkway and a 1000 metres of glass. (three channels @ 250 metres in length) I suspect litter will become the responsibility of the Airside Safety Unit and hopefully long before the litter becomes Foreign Object Debris having been blown through the gap underneath the walkway.

 

[Galaxy]

Having used the walkway, I have to say that I liked it. I don't mind it being narrow, it makes it harder for people to push ahead and therefore enforces good manners.

The lack of working escalators and a lift by the main staircase is however a significant issue. I'm an arthritis sufferer, and having been sat on down on a plane for 2-3 hours I'm usually as stiff as a board. I don't want to ask for assistance as I can manage, but usually painfully. A lift would make life so much easier. In this day and age I just don't know why they haven't done it.

 

[Aviador]

I heard it on good authority that prior to the airport sale the council had planned to put an escalator and lift there, this was long before any mention of a walkway. The walkway must make more commercial sense for Bridgepoint than an escalator and lift.

From an operational perspective the walkway makes sense.

• The Department for Transport insist arriving and departing passengers are separated.
  
  
• Arriving passengers will take longer to reach the arrivals hall meaning shorter wait times for luggage in the arrivals hall. This can only be a good thing with the limited number of carousels available.
  
  
• Passenger boarding can commence slightly earlier to ease terminal congestion and improve on-time departures.
  
  
• Airlines like Ryanair insist on walk-on stands to reduce costs.

 

[wawkrk]

I had a closer look at the walkway this morning. It does in fact make the apron look better and the airport look bigger but it's a hell of length now. It is possible for people to pass you if they barge you out of the way as happened this morning.I wonder if it will eventually be extended to the full length of the apron.

 

[User0001]

Any news on the release of the new masterplan WhiteHeather? Can you ask at the next committee meeting on my behalf? #lufc

 

[Aviador]

Anybody know what http://www.hewlett.co.uk/ are doing in the field next to Travelodge ?

 

[wawkrk]

When I see the word renewables, I groan with disbelief.
It usually means the tax payer is funding another idiotic useless green project on a par with the emperors new clothes. Maybe some 17% efficient windmills to power the airport toilets.
Unless of course they are going to renew the shed, sorry, hotel.

 

[User0001]

Does it look like a site is being set up? If so, it could be the works for the new free parking area

 

[Aviador]

LS16

It's opposite in the valley and looks unrelated to the new free parking area.

 

[White Heather]

LUFC Pete, at the last committee meeting in September we were told that at the December meeting, we would be given a presentation re the progress with the Masterplan, so hopefully that will happen. We are not due the agenda and reports for a while yet, but they should be coming in the next week or two. If the masterplan is not on the agenda I will ask for you.

Re the issue of the non working escalator/steps/queue at immigration etc, I have, as promised, lodged a formal question about this for the December meeting, so that question will now be issued along with the papers to all members of the committee. I have been told already that the escalator is in working order but there are 'other reasons' why it is not working. I believe Aviador said something similar in the past - that it could be a staffing issue. I have also asked if something will be added to the terminal expansion project to improve the arrivals process and baggage reclaim area. I know it was not part of the plan originally, but that was before confirmation was received that we would have 2 based Monarch, a Thomson and increased passenger capacity from Jet2 next summer. I suggested that maybe now, they need to review the situation.

 

[bobleeds]

Anybody know what http://www.hewlett.co.uk/ are doing in the field next to Travelodge ?

Don't wish to start any wild rumours about the proposed rail link, but Hewlett Rail have been down at Horsforth Station for the last few months working on the new train layover just north of the station

 

[ls27]

The work being carried out near Horsforth Station could be the building of a 'turn-back' siding to allow trains to work a Horsforth to Leeds shuttle, and resignalling of the line to Harrogate.

 

[stars&sids]

The work being carried out near Horsforth Station could be the building of a 'turn-back' siding to allow trains to work a Horsforth to Leeds shuttle, and resignalling of the line to Harrogate.

That's exactly what it is, see the link below.

http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/new ... y_package/

 

[Aviador]

Still no idea what Hewlett are doing near to the terminal by Travelodge. They have now cut through the grass at the bottom of the field close to the Travelodge. I'm pretty sure it's unrelated to the above mentioned work to the Harrogate railway line.

 

[White Heather]

I would suspect that if they are down there it will be related to drainage. When Hewlett won the contract to do work to the car park, it included a civil engineering job to improve drainage, and if its going to drain to anywhere it will be the beck down there.

 

[User0001]

Thanks White Heather