Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[Ray Finkle]

I remember when there were talks of a smaller runway being built across the M42? Or did I dream that up?!

There were plans for a shorter runway to the south east of the current site with the southern end of the runway very close to Catherine-de-Barnes. This was before the proposal from Paul Kehoe for a second runway and terminal at Arden Cross connecting to the HS2 stop.

I'm not sure how serious this proposal was but the new JLR Ops Centre now stands roughly where the northern threshold would have been.

This is the only image that I could find, credit on the link below.

Get ready for a bigger EGBB (Birmingham)

(Picture not from link given) Extension to 15/33 and a new runway for larger aircraft such as the A380 which had just recently made its first flight to Birmingham a month or 2 ago

community.infiniteflight.com

 

[Timberwolf]

"In addition four new 50-person lifts are being installed at the front of the terminal, to replace existing escalators, which the airport says will free up space on both floors."

As I guessed, it seems like plans are to replace the escalators with four lifts. That's going to be a terrible "improvement". Imagine the chaos during peak summer with everyone queuing to get in the lifts to get up from check-in to security.

So it's going to be like the Queen Elizabeth hospital stairs and lifts only to get into all the wards.
Been there numerous times recently.An absolute nightmare having to wait ages for lifts each time up and down.
What a downgrade for the airport ,and what happens when the masterplan is really just a refit of current floorspace.Plus a small lounge extension, it that sticks.

 

[Karl C]

What would you have BHX do? Ideally a whole new airport is preferable and pull down the current one. That won't happen, so it's making do with what they have i suppose. So many parts of it are rather dark and dingy and needs natural light asap. We all know this and still use the airport. The airport needs some serious investment but as passengers, we will have to wait quite the while.

 

[Timberwolf]

What would you have BHX do? Ideally a whole new airport is preferable and pull down the current one. That won't happen, so it's making do with what they have i suppose. So many parts of it are rather dark and dingy and needs natural light asap. We all know this and still use the airport. The airport needs some serious investment but as passengers, we will have to wait quite the while.

No you would do what the original masterplan showed in 2015.Building the current terminal out.

It showed another pier added to the left of Eurohub. Eurohub having an extension and a remote pier between the 70s and 80s, and a LCC pier adjacent to the rail line.

This nasterplan was dropped by BHX because (they told me) it was if LHR didn't get its 3rd runway.

In 2018 BHX binned it saying now LHR was getting a 3rd runway it wasn't needed.

Unfortunately there is no plan B if in fact seems likely now LHR doesn't get its 3rd runway in the next 10yrs or so.

I attach the airport drawing of how it was to look as BHX single runway option as of 2015.

No you would do what the original masterplan showed in 2015.Building the current terminal out.

It showed another pier added to the left of Eurohub. Eurohub having an extension and a remote pier between the 70s and 80s, and a LCC pier adjacent to the rail line.

This nasterplan was dropped by BHX because (they told me) it was if LHR didn't get its 3rd runway.

In 2018 BHX binned it saying now LHR was getting a 3rd runway it wasn't needed.

Unfortunately there is no plan B if in fact seems likely now LHR doesn't get its 3rd runway in the next 10yrs or so.

I attach the airport drawing of how it was to look as BHX single runway option as of 2015.

click on image to get clear drawing..

 

[Karl C]

Agreed.....but like I said..... we've got a long time to wait before any of that comes to fruition. I think as the law states that the current work has to be up and running by next year, the departure lounge work has taken second place. Can you imagine both projects being carried out concurrently.... mayhem for sure. As for a new pier/terminal/car park....delete as appropriate......I imagine that is a looong way off.
What I wish they would change in the terminal (and it's not very important), is the flooring. That old pebble dashed look flooring. First world problems hey

If only that master plan drawing was the reality. Looking good

 

[Kevin Farnell]

It showed another pier added to the left of Eurohub. Eurohub having an extension and a remote pier between the 70s and 80s,

I believe there was also discussion of a link between the remote pier and the termina, either by a tunnel or a LGW style bridge.

 

[Timberwolf]

Agreed.....but like I said..... we've got a long time to wait before any of that comes to fruition. I think as the law states that the current work has to be up and running by next year, the departure lounge work has taken second place. Can you imagine both projects being carried out concurrently.... mayhem for sure. As for a new pier/terminal/car park....delete as appropriate......I imagine that is a looong way off.
What I wish they would change in the terminal (and it's not very important), is the flooring. That old pebble dashed look flooring. First world problems

Agreed.....but like I said..... we've got a long time to wait before any of that comes to fruition. I think as the law states that the current work has to be up and running by next year, the departure lounge work has taken second place. Can you imagine both projects being carried out concurrently.... mayhem for sure. As for a new pier/terminal/car park....delete as appropriate......I imagine that is a looong way off.
What I wish they would change in the terminal (and it's not very important), is the flooring. That old pebble dashed look flooring. First world problems hey

If only that master plan drawing was the reality. Looking good

Yes you make some good points here.
The current masterplan was to run to 2033, but with Covid probably 2035 now.
I agree they should restart the lounge/ baggage hall extension once the security area is finished in summer 2024 but don't know if they will.

I believe next winter they are fiddling around realigning the current stands the other side of Eurohub for Jet 2.Then plan the same on the 20s remotes opposite Eurohub .

So winter 2025/26 perhaps for the lounge extension ?

I believe there was also discussion of a link between the remote pier and the termina, either by a tunnel or a LGW style bridge.

Yes there was but deemed way to expensive in the end.The same reason they abandoned plan to extend enhydrant refueling system to the 40s and 50s stands .

 

[Karl C]

I suppose it's little by little, one thing at a time. It'll come good in the end

 

[Ray Finkle]

That was a cracking master plan and really does show what can be done on the existing site if/when needed.

 

[MB1]

So it's going to be like the Queen Elizabeth hospital stairs and lifts only to get into all the wards.
Been there numerous times recently.An absolute nightmare having to wait ages for lifts each time up and down.
What a downgrade for the airport ,and what happens when the masterplan is really just a refit of current floorspace.Plus a small lounge extension, it that sticks.

I have to say I agree with this. Lifts as the primary method of transporting crowds of people is not a good idea.

Anyone who visited the Coventry IKEA store will know this. Shambolic system of ridings lifts up and down to visit the showrooms and then transport purchases. It simply didn't work, and although there were numerous reasons for IKEA Coventry's failure, the store layout was cited by IKEA themselves as contributing. Covent Garden tube station springs to mind too.

You'll end up with not enough lift capacity, queues to get into tbe lifts (conflicting with check-in queues) then surges of people leaving the lifts at the other end piling into the security area.

It's such a poor idea and just seems like poor planning/cheapest solution/least worst solution etc.

BHX is my local airport that I've always used and supported. And I always enjoyed using it. But having travelled through it recently I can only conclude it's losing it's way.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Hello MB1 and welcome to the forum.. Thanks for your thoughts, regarding the developments at BHX.

 

[MB1]

Hello MB1 and welcome to the forum.. Thanks for your thoughts, regarding the developments at BHX.

Thankyou Kevin! Sorry my first contribution wasn't more positive!

 

[Timberwolf]

I have to say I agree with this. Lifts as the primary method of transporting crowds of people is not a good idea.

Anyone who visited the Coventry IKEA store will know this. Shambolic system of ridings lifts up and down to visit the showrooms and then transport purchases. It simply didn't work, and although there were numerous reasons for IKEA Coventry's failure, the store layout was cited by IKEA themselves as contributing. Covent Garden tube station springs to mind too.

You'll end up with not enough lift capacity, queues to get into tbe lifts (conflicting with check-in queues) then surges of people leaving the lifts at the other end piling into the security area.

It's such a poor idea and just seems like poor planning/cheapest solution/least worst solution etc.

BHX is my local airport that I've always used and supported. And I always enjoyed using it. But having travelled through it recently I can only conclude it's losing it's way.

Trying to get my head around £500 million for a terminal refit.Seems a lot when you see Manchester trippling the size of the terminal and adding 3 long airbridge piers for £1 billion

Still it is what it is and we will have to make do with what the modest plans do in the next 10 years or so.

 

[tompo]

“Make do” is a very apt phrase and one that has been prevalent for the last 60 years or so. Apart from the new terminal construction in 1984 which gave great hope for the future, there has been hardly any positive progression. The main reason is, and has been, the stranglehold formed by its financial structure creating the lack of entrepreneurial risk and spirit undeniably necessary for growth. For example, individuals such as Paul Kehoe produced fantastic initiatives quashed by the decisions of controlling interests (councils) and the nervousness of pension fund holders. Until BHX operates in an unfettered commercial way it will just bumble along at the bottom no matter the potential. It cannot “think big” and this frustration will be a continuation for all its supporters.

 

[Timberwolf]

“Make do” is a very apt phrase and one that has been prevalent for the last 60 years or so. Apart from the new terminal construction in 1984 which gave great hope for the future, there has been hardly any positive progression. The main reason is, and has been, the stranglehold formed by its financial structure creating the lack of entrepreneurial risk and spirit undeniably necessary for growth. For example, individuals such as Paul Kehoe produced fantastic initiatives quashed by the decisions of controlling interests (councils) and the nervousness of pension fund holders. Until BHX operates in an unfettered commercial way it will just bumble along at the bottom no matter the potential. It cannot “think big” and this frustration will be a continuation for all its supporters.

Oh well at least we have Qatar Emirates and Saudia to look forward to inside the current terminal next month

 

[Nibbles]

I disagree on lifts. They will take up vastly less space than escalators or stairs, creating more room generally. And unlike hotels, Ikea Coventry, the QE, etc., the lifts only have one destination - from Ground to First Floor (and vice versa). There is no reason why, with 4, they can be automated so 2 are going up when 2 are going down.

I've been in plenty of airports with lifts between, say, arrivals and departures. There are plenty of them at Dubai (admittedly in an area with a very high (and long) escalator). Also think about the fact that there are several London Underground stations with lifts rather than escalators which generally work well even with much smaller capacity lifts.

I'm genuinely of the view that these will work absolutely fine. Yes there will be issues occasionally when someone gets stuck - and there will be a need to make sure these lifts are maintained to operate reliably ALL the time. Also, they need to get to their destination floor and the doors open quickly, rather than it taking 5 seconds (say) from arriving at the floor level before the doors saunter open. But all of that could be specified in procurement.

 

[Timberwolf]

I've been in plenty of airports with lifts between, say, arrivals and departures. There are plenty of them at Dubai (admittedly in an area with a very high (and long) escalator). Also think about the fact that there are several London Underground stations with lifts rather than escalators which generally work well even with much smaller capacity lifts.

I don't think I have ever been in another main international airport that doesn't have escalators though.Lifts have always been in an addition to the escalators.
So if they get rid of the escalators completely at BHX be a first for me.

 

[IanFarquharson]

“Make do” is a very apt phrase and one that has been prevalent for the last 60 years or so. Apart from the new terminal construction in 1984 which gave great hope for the future, there has been hardly any positive progression. The main reason is, and has been, the stranglehold formed by its financial structure creating the lack of entrepreneurial risk and spirit undeniably necessary for growth. For example, individuals such as Paul Kehoe produced fantastic initiatives quashed by the decisions of controlling interests (councils) and the nervousness of pension fund holders. Until BHX operates in an unfettered commercial way it will just bumble along at the bottom no matter the potential. It cannot “think big” and this frustration will be a continuation for all its supporters.

If BHX never had Paul Kehoe we would no runway extension or international pier, so we should be thankful.
On the flip side PK was obsessed by seeing the BA tail fin at BHX and easyjet / Ryanair were overlooked to a certain extent.

 

[HPsauce]

Paul Kehoe was interviewed on LBC Radio earlier this week, regarding the easyJet cancellations. He was introduced as boss of Luton Airport!.
Quite ironic really, as they make their money from Low Cost airlines.
He did however do a decent job at BHX.

 

[Timberwolf]

If BHX never had Paul Kehoe we would no runway extension or international pier, so we should be thankful.
On the flip side PK was obsessed by seeing the BA tail fin at BHX and easyjet / Ryanair were overlooked to a certain extent.

BHX made a number of very bad decision-years ago.Snubbing low cost carriers and jumping into bed with BA.So much so they built a hub and spoke terminal for them only to see BA pull out and leave a terminal that was not fit for the required modern model at BHX.Too expensive to pull down and start again now.
They did eventually attract a small My Travel base at BHX.Yet things had moved on elsewhere with Easyjet opening a larger base at BRS.

Taken years for BHX to entice the airline to open a base .Things may have been different with better decisions years ago...