Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[tpm]

I thought the Western Walkway was in the end deemed permitted development as long as it didn't expand capacity - I would imagine the same to be true for the Eastern Walkway?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I thought the Western Walkway was in the end deemed permitted development as long as it didn't expand capacity - I would imagine the same to be true for the Eastern Walkway?

The western walkway was built as general permitted development because at the time (around the year 2007 from memory) the airport terminal floor area was at the maximum allowed by its then planning consents. This meant the western walkway could only be a conduit with basic facilities that weren't regarded as increasing the terminal floor area. The airport could have put in a fullscale planning application for a grander structure but that would have taken time and presumably the airport decided that a GDP development would suffice.

Subsequent terminal planning approvals in 2011 increased the terminal floor space area meaning the western walkway could have been revamped into something much more inviting. I've used it quite a lot and I think it serves its purpose, albeit some passengers moan about the length if they are departing or arriving at the western end.

I presume they are applying for planning permission for the eastern walkway as they want to be more flexible in its structure and what goes into it. Otherwise the other parts of the current planning application would increase the rest of the terminal to a certain floor area size (if approved) leaving the eastern walkway outside that area.

 

[kfs]

I hope the new eastern walkway plans will include toilet facilites in the boarding waiting areas. Since it is not unusual to be held for 45 minutes to one hour while the aircraft arrives, is offloaded and then prepared for boarding, the lack of facilities can be an issue for some.

 

[Seasider]

I know what you mean.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I hope the new eastern walkway plans will include toilet facilites in the boarding waiting areas. Since it is not unusual to be held for 45 minutes to one hour while the aircraft arrives, is offloaded and then prepared for boarding, the lack of facilities can be an issue for some.

I hadn't realised there were no toilets in the waiting areas on the western walkway.

I've had another look at the planning application documents on the North Somerset Council website but there is no detail that I can discover to say whether toilets will included in the eastern walkway waiting areas. Essentially the planning application is an outline one with reserved matters for detail to be settled later, assuming the outline planning is approved which is by no means certain.

 

[kfs]

I hadn't realised there were no toilets in the waiting areas on the western walkway.

I've had another look at the planning application documents on the North Somerset Council website but there is no detail that I can discover to say whether toilets will included in the eastern walkway waiting areas. Essentially the planning application is an outline one with reserved matters for detail to be settled later, assuming the outline planning is approved which is by no means certain.

There are toilets on the walkway on the upper level. It's in the waiting areas downstairs that there aren't, once you've shown your boarding pass and passports and are in the 'lounge' waiting at apron level. Flying with both Ryanair and Easyjet the gate is shown on the airside screens once it is assigned as the aircraft is on its way in, and then you are stuck in there for what can be a long wait. Usually you're in before the aircraft lands. In theory the turnaround is 25-30 minutes, but in practice it is usually longer. Even with assigned seats now, everybody still races to be first in the queue to be sure of getting space in the overhead lockers. Can't comment on other airlines but I imagine it's the same, as the displays are managed by the airport, not the airline.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

There are toilets on the walkway on the upper level. It's in the waiting areas downstairs that there aren't, once you've shown your boarding pass and passports and are in the 'lounge' waiting at apron level. Flying with both Ryanair and Easyjet the gate is shown on the airside screens once it is assigned as the aircraft is on its way in, and then you are stuck in there for what can be a long wait. Usually you're in before the aircraft lands. In theory the turnaround is 25-30 minutes, but in practice it is usually longer. Even with assigned seats now, everybody still races to be first in the queue to be sure of getting space in the overhead lockers. Can't comment on other airlines but I imagine it's the same, as the displays are managed by the airport, not the airline.

I've used the western walkway a lot over the years, usually with easyJet, but last December when we used TUI we had to depart through gate 15 (I think) - anyway the penultimate gate at the far end of the walkway. I suppose I wasn't aware of the lack of toilets in the gate waiting areas as thus far, fortunately for us, we've never had the need when waiting there.

I take the point you are making though, also the fact that many people try to get to the front of the boarding queue to get overhead locker space. Sometimes I wonder if Speedy Boarding is worth it. We used Ryanair from DUB a year or two ago and our package included their version of speedy boarding but there seemed to be more people in the speedy boarding queue than in the ordinary one. Anyway, I digress.

Let's hope the airport does something more passenger bladdder-friendly if they obtain planning consent for the eastern walkway.

 

[kfs]

I take the point you are making though, also the fact that many people try to get to the front of the boarding queue to get overhead locker space. Sometimes I wonder if Speedy Boarding is worth it. We used Ryanair from DUB a year or two ago and our package included their version of speedy boarding but there seemed to be more people in the speedy boarding queue than in the ordinary one. Anyway, I digress.

Quite, Ryanair 'Priority' is now merely paying for the larger cabin bag.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Old Terminal Building

What is the situation with the demolition of the OTB?

The road to it was blocked off before Christmas. I've driven past the front of the airport along the A38 two or three times in recent weeks (the last time today) and although there appears to be plant next to the OTB I couldn't see if any actual demolition had begun from that distance. Most if not all of the building seemed intact.

Despite this week's council decision I presume that work will still proceed on any outstanding projects that received planning consent previously.

 

[kraktoa]

Demolition has started a few weeks ago. Most of the OTB closest to the runway is demolished.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Demolition has started a few weeks ago. Most of the OTB closest to the runway is demolished.

Many thanks. It's difficult to see that from a moving vehicle on the A38.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

An update on the proposed public transport interchange, construction of which is being brought forward (previously reported), with representatives of a number of bus companies that use the airport giving their views.

Major Public Transport Operators Welcome Bristol Airport’s Public Transport Interchange Development

Major Public Transport Operators Welcome Bristol Airport’s Public Transport Interchange Development

www.bristolairport.co.uk

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Further to my previous post #1,032, I've checked the North Somerset Council planning portal and find the planning reference for the public transport interchange (PTI) is 20/P/2711/AIN.

This comment appears on the NSC website.

Consultation request under the provisions of Part 8 (Class F) of The Town And Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2015 for a proposed public transport interchange facility, associated internal vehicular access, relocated drop-off zone, taxi rank, new substation and new pedestrian routes. THIS IS NOT A PLANNING APPLICATION

So it appears that the PTI would be constructed under general permitted development (GPD) that does not need formal planning consent from the local authority. The western walkway was constructed under GPD over a decade ago.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Further to my previous post, I visited the airport site today for the first time in over a year. I had been out walking and used the new route 54 that runs from Clevedon to the airport operated by Bristol Community Transport.

The pavement next to the road alongside the front of the terminal is blocked by metal barriers meaning the bus stops along that road cannot be used.

Instead buses are now using an area next to the MSCP which appears to be the land earmarked for the new public transport interchange (see airport press release in #1,032 above). Buses use dedicated route bays to park nose-in with metal barriers segregating them. However, the operation seems extremely basic and certainly doesn't suggest a multi-million pound PTI.

I presume the current facility is a temporary measure.

Incidentally, the 54 bus travels up Brockley Combe but instead of turning into the airport site by the rear entrance in Downside Road it continues to the traffic lights on the A38 where it turns right before entering the airport site travelling along the lower road in front of the terminal to the western end of the Northside, from where it turns right to the small roundabout after which it enters the new bus terminal.

The distance from the rear entrance to the bus terminal is less than 300 metres, but the circuit of the site followed by route 54 is one and a half miles. Previous services that have used Brockley Combe including the A3 Weston Flyer have entered and left the airport site by the rear entrance. It will be interesting to see what happens when the A3 is brought back into service.

I asked the 54 driver today why he didn't use the rear entrance and he replied that they are not allowed to.

 

[superking]

There is signs up at te rear entrance saying no vehicles to use the entrance only emergency. Any one else will be fined.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

There is signs up at te rear entrance saying no vehicles to use the entrance only emergency. Any one else will be fined.

There have been signs there for quite a long time saying that access is only allowed for authorised and emergency vehicles, although I can't remember a fine being mentioned. The bus driver told me today that he would be fined if he used the rear entrance. It seems as though they have restricted access still further then from what you say.

 

[kraktoa]

There should not be any problems with buses turning in at that entrance. The airports climate credentials are suspicious if they want a bus to take a mile long diversion. I have also noticed that the airport mobile enforcement vehicle has resumed its pointless, gas guzzling rounds of the road within the terminal areas hoping to fine drivers who stop. There are hardly any cars around. Even if that vehicle is electric, its still a waste of energy.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

There should not be any problems with buses turning in at that entrance. The airports climate credentials are suspicious if they want a bus to take a mile long diversion. I have also noticed that the airport mobile enforcement vehicle has resumed its pointless, gas guzzling rounds of the road within the terminal areas hoping to fine drivers who stop. There are hardly any cars around. Even if that vehicle is electric, its still a waste of energy.

The 54 from Clevedon to the airport used the back entrance from Downside Road today and we passed a 54 going to Clevedon coming out that way too. When we reached the airport bus station I commented to the driver how sensible it was to be able to use the back entrance. He replied that the drivers had decided to do so themselves. Is the airport turning a blind eye?

We only just arrived on time having left Clevedon on time. Had we gone around to the A38 entrance it would have taken another five minutes, extra fuel and the bus that then became a 55 to travel to Whitchurch in south Bristol would have been late.

The enforcement vehicle was on its rounds again today.

The bus station is next to the multi-storey car park. I hadn't noticed it before but there is now a passenger waiting room with seats and toilets. It seems to be the building previously used for car rentals although there have been internal alterations.

Although several bus bays are marked out for the various routes and the area provides a large space for manoeuvring I don't think this is the site for the new public transport interchange - airport press release of last year linked below. The Silver Zone and other domestic airport buses still seem to be operating from the front of the terminal.

Major Public Transport Operators Welcome Bristol Airport’s Public Transport Interchange Development

Major Public Transport Operators Welcome Bristol Airport’s Public Transport Interchange Development

www.bristolairport.co.uk

 

[kraktoa]

The enforcement vehicle does its rounds from 4 am till midnight. What a colossal waste of resources and its environmental footprint is scandalous even if it is electrically driven, which it isn't always. And the job is so mind mumbling boring that the drivers are always on the phone as they drive their rounds.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The enforcement vehicle does its rounds from 4 am till midnight. What a colossal waste of resources and its environmental footprint is scandalous even if it is electrically driven, which it isn't always. And the job is so mind mumbling boring that the drivers are always on the phone as they drive their rounds.

I thought there were static cameras to enforce the red/pink double line drop off restrictions.