Birmingham: Airport Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[JF57]

I don't know about anyone else, but when the airport announced they would be providing a free drop off zone I assumed it would be located where the current drop off zone is. You make a good point though about providing a covered walkway to the hire cars at least.

Perhaps they want to stop the increased drop off traffic from going all the way into the terminal area as well as making the old drop off premium as Ray has suggested.

 

[Coathanger16]

I thought so too but it appears as if that is to become an area offering a 'premium service'.

I do sympathise with airports and recognise that in the modern world of loco's ancillary income is so much more important but I hope that we are not left with a situation where those with mobility issues are forced to pay over the odss just to be dropped off.

I guess we'll have to see how it works out.

Airports can be rather sneaky with drop off areas. Southampton for instance has a pay-per-use drop off zone right outside the terminal. They do however claim that they have a free drop off zone at one of their car parks and that you can then catch a bus to the terminal. This free drop off zone is located over a kilometer from the terminal. When I was working in Southampton, whenever I picked anyone up from the airport, or was being picked up, we would meet outside the train station which was less than 100m from the terminal. Depending on how far the new free drop off zone is from the terminal, I wonder how many passengers will get dropped off at the train station and catch the people mover across.

Finally, I wouldn't be surprised if BHX management increases the cost of dropping people off in the "premium zone" to further encourage people to use the new drop off zone as JF57 says to reduce the volume of traffic heading into the terminal area.

Apologies if this sounds like I'm being very pessimistic - think of it more as constructive criticism.

 

[Seasider]

Airports can be rather sneaky with drop off areas. Southampton for instance has a pay-per-use drop off zone right outside the terminal. They do however claim that they have a free drop off zone at one of their car parks and that you can then catch a bus to the terminal. This free drop off zone is located over a kilometer from the terminal. When I was working in Southampton, whenever I picked anyone up from the airport, or was being picked up, we would meet outside the train station which was less than 100m from the terminal. Depending on how far the new free drop off zone is from the terminal, I wonder how many passengers will get dropped off at the train station and catch the people mover across.

Finally, I wouldn't be surprised if BHX management increases the cost of dropping people off in the "premium zone" to further encourage people to use the new drop off zone as JF57 says to reduce the volume of traffic heading into the terminal area.

Apologies if this sounds like I'm being very pessimistic - think of it more as constructive criticism.

or a touch of realism.

 

[Ray Finkle]

A little more detail from the Consultative Committee.

The project to improve capacity, access and traffic flow to the Airport’s car parking facilities is now underway. The current Drop & Go facility will have a new entrance with additional entrance lanes, plus a set down area for those drivers who do not need to use a marked bay. This should speed the flow of traffic through the facility and ease pressure on capacity. A new Meet & Greet area has been created next to Car Park 3, taking this operation out of the Drop & Go facility and further easing pressure on capacity there.

A new, free Drop & Go facility is being developed adjacent to Car Park 5 with access from Bird Island. The planned covered walkway to the terminal will also serve customers using hire cars. Page 19 Car Park 7, at the Elmdon site, which will provide 2,000 spaces, should be operational by April.

 

[JF57]

A little more detail from the Consultative Committee.

The project to improve capacity, access and traffic flow to the Airport’s car parking facilities is now underway. The current Drop & Go facility will have a new entrance with additional entrance lanes, plus a set down area for those drivers who do not need to use a marked bay. This should speed the flow of traffic through the facility and ease pressure on capacity. A new Meet & Greet area has been created next to Car Park 3, taking this operation out of the Drop & Go facility and further easing pressure on capacity there.

A new, free Drop & Go facility is being developed adjacent to Car Park 5 with access from Bird Island. The planned covered walkway to the terminal will also serve customers using hire cars. Page 19 Car Park 7, at the Elmdon site, which will provide 2,000 spaces, should be operational by April.

Covered walkway to hire cars a great idea - badly needed.

Now we need some covered access to planes on remote stands. At the moment once out of the bus there is no cover on the ground or on the steps.

 

[58terminus]

Now we need some covered access to planes on remote stands. At the moment once out of the bus there is no cover on the ground or on the steps.

What is classed as a remote stand?The last two times i have flown out of BHX were with Flybe and Ryanair and the aircraft were about 30 meters from the terminal. Only got wet once but i accepted you get what you pay for.

 

[richard winterbourn]

But why does anyone need to get wet when the problem can be solved for a a few quid.

Like others i travel to regions where, when it rains, it really rains. In a heavy downpour in central Brazil there is always a large bin with about 200 umbrellas in it; you open one up as your leave the bus on the way to the plane or at the foot of the steps as you leave the plane.

Just put them in another bin at the other end. Simples....

 

[58terminus]

Like others i travel to regions where, when it rains, it really rains. In a heavy downpour in central Brazil there is always a large bin with about 200 umbrellas in it; you open one up as your leave the bus on the way to the plane or at the foot of the steps as you leave the plane.

This is the U.K. A bin of 200 umbrellas at the foot of the aircraft stairs would be left as a bin of 50 at the terminal entrance🙂

 

[JF57]

What is classed as a remote stand?The last two times i have flown out of BHX were with Flybe and Ryanair and the aircraft were about 30 meters from the terminal. Only got wet once but i accepted you get what you pay for.

I am refering to the stands used by Monarch etc to the north of the main terminal that was. Passenger are bussed out there from the dismal gates with numbers above 58 I think. A dire experience waiting at those gates on the ground floor.

Once off the bus it more a question of time rather than distance. A queue easily forms all the way down the steps and half wa back to the bus. It can take quite some time to board the aircraft. Not good if it is raining hard.

Some airports have covers on the movable steps which is at least a start.

 

[58terminus]

I have seen these queues boarding but never in bad weather and i imagine it could be a miserable experience.
Do they try to filter passengers off the busses in bad weather or is just a free for all?

 

[Coathanger16]

With regards to covered access to the remote stands, remember that the BHX master plan should be being published soon. One would hope that the new master plan will feature more terminal capacity and the possibility of a satellite pier or at least more gates with jet bridges.

Speaking of the master plan, does anyone have an idea for when the master plan will be published for consultation? I seem to remember is being spring time but has anyone heard anything more specific?

 

[Coathanger16]

I have seen these queues boarding but never in bad weather and i imagine it could be a miserable experience.
Do they try to filter passengers off the busses in bad weather or is just a free for all?

From personal experience (not sure if it happens all the time) in bad weather the bus driver doesn't open the bus doors until the queues cleared somewhat. Covered stair ways certainly would improve things though.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Speaking of the master plan, does anyone have an idea for when the master plan will be published for consultation? I seem to remember is being spring time but has anyone heard anything more specific?

Completion March 2017; 3 month public consultation from May 2017 and development of final plan; Publication Early 2018.”

Subject to change.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It seems as if we've had a design change for the proposed hotel on Concorde Road.

I can't seem to copy the drawings on to here so click the links below to see the designs

http://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk...f/PL_2017_00207_DIS-WEST_ELEVATION-617278.pdf

http://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk..._00207_DIS-NORTH___SOUTH_ELEVATION-617279.pdf

Anybody fancy having a guess at the operator based on the info below? Indian Terra Cotta and Pearl Yellow, Marriott maybe? There are pictures on the link.

Design Philosophy. The Hotel will be ‘branded’ and the materials selected reflect the brands colour scheme. The site has a gradual fall from south to north. To accommodate this fall the building is set on a blue brick plinth. The main entrance elevation has a dominant entrance canopy that is clad with ‘Pearl Yellow’ rainscreen cladding that contrasts with the main ‘brand’ colour that is represented by the ‘Indian Terra Cotta rainscreen cladding that frames the curtain walling glazing. Clear glazing is provided to the vision windows with ‘look-a-like’ glazing to the areas that are situated in front of solid walls. The roof is finished in a pressed metal trim PPC Mid-grey. The main elevation fronting Concorde Road continues the theme with ‘Pearl Yellow’ rainscreen cladding to the single storey element at ground floor level and the ‘Indian Terra Cotta rainscreen cladding that frames the curtain walling glazing to the upper floors. The‘Pearl Yellow’ rainscreen cladding extends up the lift shaft wall to give a vertical emphasis to the building, terminating at roof top level with the plant room that is clad with flat insulated cladding panels colour to match the cladding.

http://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk...-MATERIALS_FOR_CONDITIONS_APPROVAL-617281.pdf

 

[Brum X]

All change at BHX for S17

Norweigan, Wizz and Vueling together with Ryanair and Flybe will use the old T2, and the rest incl Jet2 will use the International pier side of the airport.
Great pic by Matty Waudby showing a Norweigan 737 having a test run yesterday.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I assume that stand reconfiguration will begin shortly.

Wizz have 3/4 A321 routes and Vueling will be using them to Orly along with other ad hoc additions yet, as it is currently configured, T2 only has 1x A321 stand?

 

[Brum X]

I assume that stand reconfiguration will begin shortly.

Wizz have 3/4 A321 routes and Vueling will be using them to Orly along with other ad hoc additions yet, as it is currently configured, T2 only has 1x A321 stand?

Well you would think so as S17 is not far away.

 

[Daza]

Doesnt T2 (well used to be T2) look shabby, well rusty? 🙁
Good to see it utilised a little more I hear some of the shops and cafes in old T2 struggle with the lack of customers.
Daza

 

[Brum X]

Doesnt T2 (well used to be T2) look shabby well rusty? 🙁
Good to see it utilised a little more I hear some of the shops and cafes in old T2 struggle with the lack of customers.
Daza

It does look rather shabby and needs a re-clad to brighten it up, hopefully something will be done once the masterplan is published.

 

[Daza]

I remember watching T2 Eurohub being built, it was groundbreaking at the time mixing domestic and International flights together in one terminal. I was wondering if BA would operate their summer flights out of their old terminal?
Daza