Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[ljm104]

There was actually a typo in my last post. I meant to say the attractive glass fronted design doesn't appear to feature.

I can't help but agree with you Yokel that the design looks entirely functional without much attention paid to aesthetics and creating a sense of space. Whilst a big step forward, the eastern extension suffers from the same problem. The exterior in particular is rather bland and the impression, from the outside at least, is of a disjointed and piecemeal development, compounded by the temporary looking check-in extension which seems to now be permanent. I suppose I probably shouldn't look to regional airports for inspirational architecture!

All this said, the airport deserves credit for pressing on much needed investment

 

[TheLocalYokel]

All the add-ons after the main terminal was completed (which itself looks quite impressive from the outside to my eyes) - walkways, piers, terminal extensions - remind me of something that might be knocked up in Legoland. Of course, in the generations to come the design might be regarded favourably as outstanding examples of late Second Elizabethan. They might even become listed. :reallyshocked:

Having said, this many regional airports would be delighted at the money and infrastructure development that the BRS owners have poured into their airport. I really can't complain too much if the design of the later developments leaves me a bit underwhelmed so long as they really do add to the passenger experience.

I'm still intrigued about those apparent low ceilings though - very 1970s airport.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Eastern terminal extension

I experienced this for the first time last week and I was impressed. The new shops certainly give the airport a 'big airport' feel.

It was a pleasant afternoon weather-wise and my wife and I spent some time in the outside rooftop garden. It is a no-smoking area despite earlier suggestions on the promotional video that it would be a smoking zone.

Although the view from the apron is limited - we could see the eastern end of runway 09 that was in use that day - the garden area is a very acceptable new facility in my book. The 'quirky' (as the airport press release describes them) garden furniture blends well although how well the pastel colours will stand up to the weather and perhaps less than kind attention of passengers remains to be seen.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Airport hotel

I note that the airport Twitter feed, in answer to a question, says that the major work on the Hampton Inn by Hilton hotel will commence within the next few weeks with a completion date of autumn/winter 2016.

Looking back to an earlier airport press release that I posted in this thread on 2 February this year it was stated that it was hoped the hotel would be completed by spring 2016.

I suppose that this project (ie an onsite hotel, proposals for which have come and gone in several guises down the years) has been in the wind for so long that another six months waiting time is but nothing in this timescale. It's strange that an airport of Bristol's size has no onsite hotel whereas some much less busy airports have one (or more).

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Airline gate lounge gets makeover for frequent flyers

Improved facilities for passengers travelling on major business routes.

Frequent flyers and travel specialists from some of the South West’s highest profile companies joined passengers travelling to Frankfurt and Munich yesterday to see a newly refurbished £50,000 gate lounge open for business at Bristol Airport.

The new gate lounge will provide passengers with a dedicated area to wait for their flights prior to boarding, just metres away from the aircraft steps. Practical features primarily aimed at business passengers include a workstation area, free wifi access with charging points, a hot drinks vending machine and additional seating, while a Bristol Blue inspired theme gives the gate lounge a distinctive new look.

The boarding gate lounge was officially opened by special guest and Bristol resident, Carol Vorderman. Several of Bristol Airport’s key corporate clients and representatives of the airline, bmi regional (which operates seven routes from Bristol to major European business destinations) joined passengers to see the facility for the first time.

Robert Sinclair, Bristol Airport’s Chief Executive Officer said:
“The opening of this dedicated gate lounge area is another demonstration of our commitment to the business community in the South West and South Wales. We know many of our customers travel regularly for work and we want to make the experience as comfortable and efficient as we can.”

Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer at bmi regional, said;

“Customers travelling for business are especially focused on value for money, convenience and quality of service. Our Bristol customers already benefit from check-in that remains open until 30-minutes prior to departure, and the new departure gates ensure the airport experience is even smoother and more seamless.”

Work continues on a £24 million west terminal extension which will transform the security search process for passengers when it opens in summer 2016, as well as creating an enlarged baggage reclaim area, customs facilities, arrivals retail, and meet and greet area. Once completed next year, this will take the total investment in infrastructure at Bristol Airport since 2010 to over £120 million.

Other developments underway include improvements to car parks and the construction of a 201 room Hampton by Hilton hotel set to be completed in 2016. Beyond the Airport boundary improvements to the transport system across the West of England, including the construction of a South Bristol Link, will enhance access from the north, east and west once completed in 2016.
aircraft.[/textarea]

BRS press release at: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/about-u ... nal-lounge

Has Carol Vorderman had a makeover too? Not that she needs one but she does seem to look a bit different in the picture that illustrates the press release. Incidentally, she gained her PPL last year and is working towards piloting a round-the-world trip.

With £120 million spent on airport infrastructure since 2010 it shows the commitment of the owners, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. Probably at least another £50 million was invested on infrastructure enhancements in the ten years or so leading up to 2010, although in those days OTPP was not the sole shareholder.

 

[tpm]

When I first read this I thought they put up a machine that serves free coffee/tea at the gate and thought 'nice', but on second reading it sounds like they just redesigned the existing waiting area at the gate a little and added a (for-pay) vending machine? Free wifi was already available throughout the airport anyway. I wonder why they haven't added a picture showing the new lounge, who cares about Carol Vorderman or any of the people pictured (sorry)

 

[kraktoa]

Much is being made of the under construction South Bristol Link road and that it is likely to improve access to the airport. I am not convinced as i believe the problems lie closer to the airport on the A38 and the lack of a closer rail head or viable mass transport fall backs.

Most airports have rail links right up to the terminals. gatwick, LHR, Manchester etc benefit from it. Bristol will always lag behind as there is no possibility of a rail link to the terminal in our lifetime.

Temple meads station is just too far away. The flyer bus can take about 10 mins just to clear the first traffic light from the station onto the A4 during day time rush.

 

[tpm]

I don't know whether the A38 is really a problem. In general traffic flows just fine in my experience, at least once you get outside the built-up area. The last few metres up the hill are often a bit stop-and-go nowadays, but that's it. I read a claim somewhere once that airport traffic only makes up a very small fraction of traffic on the A38 and couldn't believe it, but it adds up if you run some numbers.

I think the South Bristol Link Road will make a huge difference for people coming from the north/west. They no longer have to snake through Winterstoke Road, the Parson Street Triangle and then out to the A38 through the suburbs, which are all often congested, but it's also a very confusing route in general. The route will be easier, faster and smoother and that will add to the perception that the airport is easier to get to.

The SBLR will also help the flyer service which will no longer have to make its way through Bedminster. It will also help people get to the airport from Bath, since the route will be much more straight forward now. (The other day I heard some people discuss the best route to Bath on the way back to the terminal, They thought M5, M4, A46 would be the best route...)

I'm not sure whether the suboptimal surface access is really that much of a problem though. People don't seem to mind driving as long as the flights and airport parking are reasonably priced.

A more direct link to the M5 might help, although by my estimation it would shave only ca. 3-8 minutes off the journey time for people coming up or down the M5, compared to the current route via the A38 (assuming SBL in place).

As for rail connectivity: the airport masterplan claims 15mppa are generally needed to sustain a rail link. I'm not sure if that's true in all cases, I could imagine it as part of the MetroWest network. The costs would be rather high though and it's hard to see it passing the usual cost-benefit thresholds, it would need to be built on strategic grounds, something this country doesn't seem to do as well as other countries. Unlike TYL I don't think the gradient would really be a problem (and you can always skip the last few metres and build the station at a lower level). The only way I can see this happening is if the Welsh government realises that no one really cares that much about the name of the airport they use and having good transport links is more important economically than having your own airport. A direct service from Cardiff Central could be at the airport in less than an hour. The direct national express service takes about 1.5 hours, which is not much longer, but it's ... different. Currently public transport access to the airport basically relies on people changing at Temple Meads and hopping onto the flyer, or perhaps hopping onto the flyer at Bristol Bus Station. An airport rail link would open up the possibility of running direct trains from a much wider area and it could provide direct public transport links to the airport from North, West and East Bristol.

Not that I believe it will happen anytime soon either (it seems more likely that MetroBus will be extended to the airport), this is the UK after all.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm not saying that a rail link would be impossible, merely that it would be very expensive having to climb 600 feet in about three miles, most in tunnel unless one of the combes was used for much of the length of the track. Goblin Combe for example climbs at a relatively gentle rate from the A 370 to near the the airport but being allowed to use that is about as likely as demolishing the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

A rail spur from near Yatton station would have to be built and finding trains and pathways on the main line at regular intervals to service the airport might also be problematical.

Remember also that BRS is currently capped at 10 mppa by its planning consents. Increasing this when the time comes will be another big battle with environmentalists. The figure of 15 mppa I thought was the benchmark to open a new rail link to an airport. Some such as Southampton and Prestwick airports have rail stations from existing lines and both handle fewer than 2 mppa. In PIK's case the rail station has done them no good whatever, having seen passenger numbers slump from 2.5 mppa to 600,000 in about eight years.

Many years ago I suggested to the airport that Parson Street Station in south Bristol on the Bristol-Exeter main line be considered as a rail hub to transfer passengers onto the Flyer which takes about 12 minutes to reach the airport from there. The then CEO replied that they had looked into the idea in the past but found that the train companies would not stop long distance trains there.

How much help the South Bristol Link Road will be to the Flyer is debatable, always assuming that it will use this route. Currently it seems to pick up/drop off passengers in Bedminster at a reasonable rate. The SBLR certainly ought to improve journey times for those coming off the M 5 at Avonmouth.

 

[kraktoa]

Talking of road links, any one travelling from Nailsea to the airport is directed towards the A370 just before Barrow Guerney. That adds about 20 mins to the journey. If they travelled straight through the village of Barrow Guerney they would end up on the A38 and at the airports doorstep.

Why such misleading sign posting.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Talking of road links, any one travelling from Nailsea to the airport is directed towards the A370 just before Barrow Guerney. That adds about 20 mins to the journey. If they travelled straight through the village of Barrow Guerney they would end up on the A38 and at the airports doorstep.

Why such misleading sign posting.

Almost certainly to placate local Barrow Gurney residents who used to complain all the time about airport traffic using their village as a short cut. Their arguments became farcical at one stage as they were quoting figures of airport-related road vehicular traffic through their village that could only have resulted if nearly every adult air passenger drove alone through Barrow Gurney to and from the airport.

The decision to build the SBLR seems to have quietened them down as they believe that airport traffic will use it rather than travel through their village.

 

[superking]

Talking of road links, any one travelling from Nailsea to the airport is directed towards the A370 just before Barrow Guerney. That adds about 20 mins to the journey. If they travelled straight through the village of Barrow Guerney they would end up on the A38 and at the airports doorstep.

Why such misleading sign posting.

Almost certainly to placate local Barrow Gurney residents who used to complain all the time about airport traffic using their village as a short cut. Their arguments became farcical at one stage as they were quoting figures of airport-related road vehicular traffic through their village that could only have resulted if nearly every adult air passenger drove alone through Barrow Gurney to and from the airport.

The decision to build the SBLR seems to have quietened them down as they believe that airport traffic will use it rather than travel through their village.

it wll be less fraffic in barrow gurney for a while as ppl will use the new road to see what its like. changing ppls habbits is and will be diffacult as they get stuck in the old rut. they had the same in london on the north circular when the m25 opened.now they have une long m25 car park and the north circular still stop and go.. be nice to see how barrow gurney and the link road works out traffic wise.

 

[tpm]

Many years ago I suggested to the airport that Parson Street Station in south Bristol on the Bristol-Exeter main line be considered as a rail hub to transfer passengers onto the Flyer which takes about 12 minutes to reach the airport from there. The then CEO replied that they had looked into the idea in the past but found that the train companies would not stop long distance trains there.

Interesting, I wonder what the reasons for that were - operational, technical, commercial. (Other than that the platforms are not long enough).

How much help the South Bristol Link Road will be to the Flyer is debatable, always assuming that it will use this route. Currently it seems to pick up/drop off passengers in Bedminster at a reasonable rate.

The Ashton Vale to Temple Meads MetroBus FAQ claims that the airport expects the route to be used by around 5 flyers per hour. That would be one every 12 minutes (as opposed to a [strike]alleged[/strike]nominal 7-8 minute peak time service currently) if my maths is right. It's not clear if this was an average between day time and night time frequency, or an "up to" number. I would expect some flyers to be routed through Bedminster in future as well, since it's where a lot of staff live (I rarely see passengers hop onto the flyer in Bedminster, it's almost always staff), but at lower frequency of course. Not sure if the overall journey from Temple Meads will improve much. Let's say 7-10 minutes to the CREATE center, from there on it's dedicated guided busway pretty much all the way to the Long Ashton Park+Ride (3-5 mins?). From there a dedicated bus lane to the SBLR, so maybe another 3 mins to the A38 / Bridgewater Rd? From there another 6-8 minutes to the airport. That'd be 19-26 minutes from Temple Meads to the airport vs. 30 minutes now (this all for ca. 8.30am; it's ~24 minutes at other times). So with a bit of luck it might be 5-10 minutes faster, which is not too shabby if it pans out that way. Depends a lot on how they sort out the bit from Temple Meads along Redcliffe Way and up Redcliffe Hill. But even if it's not that much, the journey time should be more reliable at least.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Interesting, I wonder what the reasons for that were - operational, technical, commercial. (Other than that the platforms are not long enough).

Probably a combination of all three. I can understand why the long distance train companies didn't want to stop at Parson Street just a couple of miles outside Temple Meads as it would have added two or three minutes to the Bristol-Exeter journey although most do stop at Tiverton Parkway which never seems that busy, but it might be better patronised by the London train customers.

When I contacted the airport (probably about ten years ago) I was conscious that it would not be a simple matter. For starters only those passengers already on trains that passed through Parson Street would enjoy a direct service. Everyone else would have to change trains at Temple Meads. The area outside Parson Street station is invariably congested and the roads that surround it are on a higher level, therefore lifts would have to be provided for less mobile travellers. There would also be the conundrum of where to park the Flyer in such a tightly congested area.

Nevertheless, I thought it worthwhile to sound out the airport to see if the idea had ever been considered and discovered that it had.

Thank you for the Metrobus link. I'm a reasonably regular user of the Flyer and, as we've both mentioned, it does have its users who board or leave at Bedminster, many of whom (as you point out) are staff. So routing some Flyers via Bedminster after the Metrobus route opens seems extremely likely.

I suppose, in theory at least, a Flyer travelling on the Metrobus route ought not to be quite so delayed in peak hour traffic.

Given that the majority of Flyer passengers seem to get on and off at Temple Meads, suggesting their ultimate destination is not Bristol itself, at least they will see a pleasanter face of the city with close-up views of the Suspension Bridge, Clifton crescents and some of the Harbourside. I sometimes wonder what Flyer passengers bound for beyond the city think of Bristol when they see back street industrial estates and the somewhat down-at-heel West and East Streets of Bedminster, through which the Flyer currently travels.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Royal opening of £8.6 million Bristol Airport Development

HRH The Princess Royal visits departure lounge extension.

Today marked a major milestone and special occasion for Bristol Airport when Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal opened a multi-million pound terminal extension.

This is not the first time Her Royal Highness has visited the Airport, having officially opened the terminal building back in March 2000. That year just 2.2 million passengers passed through the new facility. Annual throughput has since increased to an expected 6.7 million in 2015, highlighting the development opened today.

The major terminal extension follows a 12 month build programme and £8.6 million investment. The development provides a significantly enlarged departure lounge featuring hundreds of additional seats as well several retail and catering brands and a second executive lounge. A stand-out feature is an outdoor rooftop terrace area with views of arriving and departing aircraft, including bar and restaurant seating under a retractable roof.

Design features of the terminal extension include finishes, colours and textures taking inspiration from the Airport’s local area. The use of timber and reeds alongside interior planting reflect the region’s natural beauty, while a striking lighting feature makes use of Bristol’s iconic blue glass to dramatic effect, with the glass chandelier sculpted in the shape of the River Avon flowing through the city.

During the visit and tour of the terminal Her Royal Highness met key stakeholders, representatives of the local community, business partners and staff. To add a festive spirit to the event, pupils from Wrington Primary and Winford Primary Schools sang traditional Christmas carols in the main check-in area.

One of the first stopping points on the tour showcased work already underway on a second terminal extension, to the western end of the main building. This £24 million project, the largest since the terminal opened in March 2000, will transform the security search process for passengers when it opens in summer 2016, as well as creating an enlarged baggage reclaim area, customs facilities, arrivals retail, and meet and greet area. Once completed next year, this will take the total investment in infrastructure at Bristol Airport since 2010 to over £120 million.

Work has also commenced on the construction of a 201 room Hampton by Hilton hotel set to be completed in 2016.

Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, said:

“We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Bristol Airport today. It gave us the opportunity to show the major improvements that have taken place since she opened the terminal fifteen years ago, during which time passenger numbers have increased threefold and the range of destinations served has more than doubled.

“This development is a significant step towards achieving our vision to provide passengers from the South West and Wales with a world-class customer experience when flying in and out of their local airport.”

At the end of the visit Her Royal Highness unveiled a commemorative plaque which will be permanently placed within the terminal building. Her Royal Highness was also presented with handmade Bristol Blue Glass Christmas decorations as a memory of her visit.[/textarea]

BRS press release http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/about-u ... al-opening

I saw an item about this on the local ITV News where airport CEO Robert Sinclair was interviewed.

He mentioned the 10 mppa target which is the current maximum level permitted under the airport's planning consents, but gave a strong hint that in time the airport would seek to go beyond that. Doubtless we shall have a re-run of the all the objections we had the last time with SBAE resurrected, or an equivalent, with attempts to put legal obstacles in the way.

At least the current leader of North Somerset Council in whose area the airport lies and who was also at the ceremony told the tv interviewer that he appreciated the economic good that the airport brings to the area. It's probably fortunate that BRS is not situated within the city boundary as the city council formally objected to its planning applications last time. Then again, when the city council owned the airport many years ago a significant number of councillors wanted to have it closed.

I was half hoping that today's official opening might have been accompanied by an announcement of some route or carrier news.

 

[Marko1]

I was kind of hoping of some route / airline announcement by now too. It was suggested back in November that we should have some news but nothing has come to light so far. Also easyjet are basing 13 aircraft but we haven't heard what they intend to do with this aircraft. I've spotted a few things but not enough to fill a schedule.

 

[alphagolf]

I was kind of hoping of some route / airline announcement by now too. It was suggested back in November that we should have some news but nothing has come to light so far. Also easyjet are basing 13 aircraft but we haven't heard what they intend to do with this aircraft. I've spotted a few things but not enough to fill a schedule.

The LocalYokel has posted in the easyJet forum that the 13th aircraft is fully utilised and there are no gaps in the schedule.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The LocalYokel has posted in the easyJet forum that the 13th aircraft is fully utilised and there are no gaps in the schedule.

I can't take credit for that amount of research I'm afraid. That belongs to Jamesc909 who posted the entire easyJet programme at BRS for next August.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The 'topping out' point has been reached in the construction of the west extension to the terminal building. I note also from a recent visit that ground works for the hotel seem well advanced.

Bristol Airport's West Terminal Extension takes shape

Key milestone reached in £24 million construction project.

A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held today to mark a key milestone in the construction of Bristol Airport’s west terminal extension. The celebration – a longstanding tradition in the construction industry – followed the completion of the steelwork for the £24 million structure.

To mark the occasion guests from the design team, (architects, structural engineers, M&E engineers) and main contractor, Balfour Beatty, joined Bristol Airport’s Chief Executive Officer and senior management team to view the extension’s highest point.

The west terminal extension is Bristol Airport’s single biggest investment project since the terminal building opened in March 2000. Once completed later this year it will transform the security search process for passengers, as well as creating an enlarged baggage reclaim area, customs facilities, arrivals retail, and meet and greet area.

The new security search facility will house 10 customer channels, a dedicated Fast Track zone, an enlarged area in which customers can prepare for search in a more comfortable and relaxed environment, and significantly longer 21 metre security lanes. The combination of design, space and new technology is expected to deliver an industry-leading passenger experience.

The 9,000 square metre facility will be opened in three phases following a 14 month construction build, involving over 200 people working on site. Phase one will open in summer 2016, closely followed by phase two and three, with the entire project completed before the end of 2016.

Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, said:

“Feedback on the east terminal extension - which enhanced and extended the departure lounge when it opened last summer - has been very positive. On completion, the west terminal extension will address other key stages of the airport journey – security search – as well as enhancing the baggage reclaim and meeters and greeters space. By the end of next year, we will have transformed the passenger experience, providing another powerful reason for people across the South West and Wales to choose to fly from Bristol.”

Martyn Osborne, Balfour Beatty Managing Director for South West and Wales, said:

“Balfour Beatty is dedicated to delivering first-class projects and we are delighted to be working with Bristol Airport on the west terminal extension.

“This topping out ceremony marks a significant milestone in the development and provides an opportunity to showcase the progress of the terminal as well as recognise the hard work and collaboration of all of the teams involved.”

During preparation of the site for the west terminal extension over 15,000 tonnes of material was excavated, with the majority of this material recycled for use on the South Bristol Link working in partnership with Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd.

Bristol Airport generates an estimated £388 million in Gross Value Added and supports more than 11,000 jobs, including around 3,000 on site. Last year, 6.76 million passengers passed through the terminal, and planning permission is in place for development of facilities to handle 10 million passengers per annum. The west terminal extension is a major component of this development, and will take investment since 2010 to more than £120 million.

Earlier this month Bristol Airport was ranked the most punctual airport in the UK for the second year running, and the tenth most punctual in the world, in a league table compiled by aviation data specialists, OAG, measuring on-time performance at 4,000 airports worldwide.
BRS press release at http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/about-u ... -extension

 

[alphagolf]

Bristol Airport - West Terminal Extension

Bristol Airport have updated the time lapse video showing the progress on the building work for the West Terminal extension. The work is progressing extremely well and clearly shows the considerable size of this extension in comparison to the East Terminal extension.

Link to the time lapse video on Vimeo below: