Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[TheLocalYokel]

I was at the airport this week and I noticed how quickly the extension is taking shape - they seem to have progressed beyond the point shown in the updated video. The hotel foundations and footings are also well advanced.

 

[kraktoa]

The break of seal between new build and security search was scheduled for this week. Will update later as i am at the port later.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Was stuck behind two huge articulated lorries (wide loads) with an escort on the A 38 between Bedminster Down and the airport this morning. They bore the logo Modular Building Services and I correctly guessed they were en route to the airport with parts for the new onsite hotel.

The modular nature of the hotel is beginning to take shape. I thought I remembered reading that much of the hotel would be assembled in China. If that is so I wonder if the panels are being brought in through Avonmouth or Royal Portbury.

The airport is certainly something of a building site at the moment what with the hotel and the western extension to the terminal which is beginning to show what the finished article will look like. There is also a lot of work taking place with diggers etc to the north of the main approach road just past the second roundabout. A huge amount of spoil and rubble has been excavated lying up to ten feet high for a distance of 50-60 metres. There is also a fairly deep excavation on part of this area. I wondered whether the car parks in the vicinity are being upgraded with serious drainage being added.

 

[Aviador]

Ah so finally the building has commenced on the new hotel, good to hear it, that's excellent news. Any photos anybody?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Excavating the foundations and putting in footings has been ongoing for several weeks. At the moment the panels make it look like some sort of Lego building. I presume an outer skin will be added in due course.

 

[Aviador]

Is there still a render available of how it is likely to look?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I've looked through the BRS press releases but can find no picture of the final build.

 

[tpm]

There's a story with a few close-up renders on the ITV website and of course the Airport's website with a high-level overview and a link to a fly-through video (click on The big picture').

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Thanks for that tpm.

 

[Jono577]

Drove through airport yesterday to have a quick look at how thing are going as was in the area, the hotel looks little more than a load of shipping containers stacked and locked together at the moment, looks more like a dock side than an airport.
Any more info on what is happening in the car park?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Hello Jono. Welcome to Forums4Airports and for your first post. We hope to read many more from you in the future.

I agree with your description of the current state of the hotel build. I described it above as currently looking like a sort of Lego building but that's probably being too complimentary.

Still waiting to hear if anyone can tell us what the excavations along the north side of the main approach road are for.

 

[ezy_brs]

I have found this picture of the Hampton at Gatwick courtesy of the architect' website www.epr.co.uk

Not saying this is how bristol will look, but if they want to keep it in check with the western walkway, then I would be very shocked if it is anything different to this:

 

[ezy_brs]

oh and with regards to the works alongside Northside Road, no-one seems to know! But i reckon it could potentially be utilities for the new hotel being installed? Or are they starting the multi-story?

 

[Jono577]

oh and with regards to the works alongside Northside Road, no-one seems to know! But i reckon it could potentially be utilities for the new hotel being installed? Or are they starting the multi-story?

From memory when passing through some time back the utilities were put in and go down towards the hire car cleaning units, seems a lot of very hard rock to remove for just the utilities, but on the other hand it may well be. Have not seen any planning info on the North Somerset planning to suggest and new major works. Only thing new is extra car parking at the silver zone (by the A38 roundabout)

 

[kraktoa]

The new security search area is scheduled to open around July 26th. They will do trial runs of the new security search areas for certain flights starting 3rd July.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Hilton Worldwide embarks on partnership with CIMC to develop its first modular hotel at Bristol Airport
Created: 15th Apr 2016

Agreement Sees Innovative Construction Model Facilitate Growth in Mature and Emerging Markets.

Hilton Worldwide has partnered with modular building provider CIMC to develop the first hotel at Bristol Airport under its economy Hampton by Hilton brand. Financed and owned by CIMC, the hotel will be managed by Hilton Worldwide, drawing on its extensive experience of operating airport hotels at many of the world’s top transport hubs.

The announcement marks a strategic partnership between Hilton Worldwide and CIMC. CIMC’s innovative modular technique significantly reduces the time taken for construction by manufacturing and assembling portions of the hotel, including guest rooms and hallways, in China, before transporting them to the final site for assembly. The model helps ensure consistent quality and accelerates the build schedule on site, a benefit for developers and investors in mature and emerging markets alike.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide said, “CIMC’s capacity to deliver modular sections of the building to the final hotel site offers an incredible opportunity to overcome many of the challenges faced during construction.

“Alongside potential time and cost efficiencies, CIMC’s ability to provide senior debt to developers using its modular building technique underpins its robust growth model, and we are seeing more and more opportunity for this structure in mature markets such as the UK, and developing economies, most notably in Africa.”

Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport said: “The development of a high quality on-site hotel to be operated under such a world-renowned brand will be a very welcome addition to our facilities for the growing number of passengers choosing to fly to and from Bristol Airport. Alongside the terminal extension currently under construction, this is another statement of our ambition to be a world class regional airport serving the South West of the UK.”

The 201 guest room property is expected to open in Q4 2016 and will be the first hotel at the Airport. Bristol is the only top ten UK airport to see passenger growth every year since 2009 and saw record volumes last year when 6.7 million people passed through the terminal, making it the UK’s ninth busiest passenger airport . It was also named the UK’s most punctual airport for the second year running, in a league table measuring on-time performance based on data compiled from over 43 million flight records by aviation data provider, OAG.

Karen Liu, Global Head of CIMC MBS said “CIMC MBS are very happy to be working alongside Hilton Worldwide and Bristol Airport to develop a quality hotel with the strength of the Hilton network and the continuing growth of Bristol Airport. This is a key milestone in the ongoing relationship with Hilton Worldwide and the first of a number of Hilton hotels CIMC will build in 2016. Under the leadership of Paul Blackmore CIMC are focusing on Hilton opportunities across Europe, Middle East and Africa.”

CIMC MBS is the modular division of parent company CIMC Group, the $12Bn USD turnover Chinese PLC. The funding for the scheme will be coming from the Internal Financing Division, CIMC Capital. CIMC have capabilities to own, develop, fund and supply modular units to hotel projects and are actively pursuing development opportunities with Hilton Worldwide in multiple countries.

Hampton by Hilton has grown exponentially across Europe, where it now boasts more than 100 hotels trading or under development. Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport will incorporate flexible meeting spaces for business guests, a 24-hour fitness room, parking for 120 cars, in addition to complimentary WiFi and Hampton’s On the House® hot breakfast.

http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/abo...ws-and-media-centre/2016/04/hampton-by-hilton

This is a BRS press release (see link immediately above).

It can be seen from the pictures that at the moment the hotel appears to be no more than a pile of shipping containers.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Drop Off and Pick Up car parking

Currently it costs £1 for the first 20 minutes in the Drop Off/Pick Up car park at BRS. From 26 April this year £1 will buy only 10 minutes. 10-20 minutes will cost £3 from next week.

However, from next week it will be possible to buy 20 minutes parking for £1 in the short stay car park.

Although I've argued more than once that such charges represent only a small percentage of the overall air fare and related expenses, and if a pound or two were put on air fares no-one would notice or complain, I still think that this sort of thing is poor PR.

If it gets into the local press it will be seen as 'profiteering' by a 'greedy' airport. Both terms are often used in the local press letters section and on the internet version of the local paper by people who object to paying such charges. It is certain that the fact that it will still be possible to park for £1 for 20 minutes in a nearby car park will be overlooked.

Understandably, most people don't know how regional airports make their money, especially the smaller ones. They don't understand that they enjoy cheap and frequent flights (compared to the situation at airports like BRS 20 years ago) because such revenue streams as car parking and retail outlets make up for the full airport charges that airlines used to pay.

Below is the link to the airport statement on the changes.

http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/to-and-from-the-airport/drop-off-and-pick-up

 

[tpm]

I don't mind paying a quid to quickly drop off or pick up someone, but these new charges simply leave me speechless. I'd love to know what they were thinking. The only way to sell this is to at least make the first 10 minutes (ie. simple drop-off/pick-up) free in my opinion. It's not going to help with the situation that people block the main road leading to/from the terminal whilst loading/unloading near the zebra crossing, often blocking busses.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I don't mind paying a quid to quickly drop off or pick up someone, but these new charges simply leave me speechless. I'd love to know what they were thinking. The only way to sell this is to at least make the first 10 minutes (ie. simple drop-off/pick-up) free in my opinion. It's not going to help with the situation that people block the main road leading to/from the terminal whilst loading/unloading near the zebra crossing, often blocking busses.

I can empathise with that, tpm.

Incidentally, does anyone know if the airport, or their contractors/partners, actually enforce the no parking on all the airport public roads that have red lines painted along the edge of the carriageway? Notices say that cameras record registration numbers and a charge will be made (£60 or £80, I forget which) if any vehicle stops on the red lines.

I've not read any accounts in the local press from disgruntled motorists caught in this way, which one might expect to have heard about if such 'fines' are being levied regularly.

The reason I'm reminded of this is tpm mentioning the zebra crossings. If a driver has to stop for pedestrians crossing then road at these points what's to prevent his passengers nipping out of the car smartly with their flight bags? The driver can hardly be 'done' for stopping on the red lines as he/she has to stop to allow pedestrians to use the zebra crossing.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Drop Off parking

This has now found its way into the local rag with the inevitable negative comments from the public. Given the wonderful day yesterday it's p**s poor timing on the part of the airport to announce the change at this time. They might need some PR advice.

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristo...rs-wait-drop/story-29143507-detail/story.html