Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[JENNYJET]

My opinions of the ownership is on record and self cencorship preventing any additional comment to preserve my membership and safety of this forum's existence !

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

And in the very busy summer months, you have 3 different flights sometimes on one luggage belt with suitcases literally falling off, loooooooooooooooool

Again, sorry for the moan.

I wonder if this is something the West Midlands Combined Authority can invest into in the future. I mean they stump up cash for the Camp Hill Lines, Metro Extensions and Bus Routes so why not invest some money into BHX to get these much anticipated improvements done quicker ? It is only going to benefit Birmingham/West Mids in the long run ?

I am afraid if we wait for BHX to carry out these improvements, it will be like watching paint dry and we will probably still be talking about the broken escalator in 5 years time.

Cus the Mayor has basically been given the failed HS2 Money for Buses not thar I'm sure why we need a sprint bus route from Walsall to BHX replacing the 51/X51 the X51 being the Quickest Bus from Walsall to Brum and The X1 which has just been given to Coventry Garage and operated by Electric Buses. Eventhough the quickest way from Walsall to Birmingham Airport will still be the Train and it won't use stupid Articulated Buses that probably have less seats than the current Platnium Diesel Double Deckers or at least less room when you add Standees. He would also much rather add trams from Wednesbury to Merry Hill despite the fact you would have to connect to the Tram Stop in Wednesbury If you live in Friar Park, Horseley Heath or Darlaston and your quickest bet is bus to either West Brom or Wednesbury or Walsall for Darlaston and then the bus to Merry Hill. He would also rather spend money on eventually demolishing the Ring Road in Birmingham to make it a park despite the fact by then Pollution shouldn't be an issue as everyone will be in electric Veichles. Sometimes I question our Mayor. I would love to see investment in Trains and Buses and Trams to BHX only 1 if it makes Sense these planned Sprit Routes will still in the same traffic the 51/X51 and x1 do the Tram to. And If BHX could be Invested in ie the Mayor makes getting NYC Flights a Priorty then maybe it would make sense for say better Transport as Demand would increase sadly I don't think the mayor gets that whilst these ideas might be good there pointless and silly when BHX itself is fine with it's current Transport and doesn't have the need for Sprint Buses to Walsall Of all places when the train also goes there and trams when both the Train, sprint bus and Normal Buses the x12 and X13 and 97 serve Birmingham City Centre. It isn't LHR,

 

[Timberwolf]

And in the very busy summer months, you have 3 different flights sometimes on one luggage belt with suitcases literally falling off, loooooooooooooooool

Again, sorry for the moan.

I wonder if this is something the West Midlands Combined Authority can invest into in the future. I mean they stump up cash for the Camp Hill Lines, Metro Extensions and Bus Routes so why not invest some money into BHX to get these much anticipated improvements done quicker ? It is only going to benefit Birmingham/West Mids in the long run ?

I am afraid if we wait for BHX to carry out these improvements, it will be like watching paint dry and we will probably still be talking about the broken escalator in 5 years time.

With a big part of WM combined authority..(Birmingham City Council) now bankrupt not sure that much money will be available from them.

He would also rather spend money on eventually demolishing the Ring Road in Birmingham to make it a park despite the fact by then Pollution shouldn't be an issue as everyone will be in electric Veichles.

Electric vehicles provide less pollution where they are being driven, but are not really environmentally friendly.. yet..

As most people are plugging them into the national grid where over 95% of the energy comes from gas fired power stations releasing vast quantities of CO2.

Only when these power stations are run on full renewable energy with they be properly environmentally friendly.That is many years away I'm afraid.

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

With a big part of WM combined authority..(Birmingham City Council) now bankrupt not sure that much money will be available from them.

Electric vehicles provide less pollution where they are being driven, but are not really environmentally friendly.. yet..

As most people are plugging them into the national grid where over 95% of the energy comes from gas fired power stations releasing vast quantities of CO2.

Only when these power stations are run on full renewable energy with they be properly environmentally friendly.That is many years away I'm afraid.

Oh I know that's always been my argument Hydrogen for me please annoyed when I travelled to Brum and back for a college Trip I just missed a Hydrogen Bus on the 51 and never got to sample one. Coming to Brum I was always going to get the X51 it is quicker and easier and that wasn't using them.

 

[Timberwolf]

Oh I know that's always been my argument Hydrogen for me please annoyed when I travelled to Brum and back for a college Trip I just missed a Hydrogen Bus on the 51 and never got to sample one. Coming to Brum I was always going to get the X51 it is quicker and easier and that wasn't using them.

Yes hydrogen for me too. I think the plan now though is to expand it only for large vehicles.Whether that includes more busses , or just lorries I don't know.

 

[whateverg]

With a big part of WM combined authority..(Birmingham City Council) now bankrupt not sure that much money will be available from them.

Electric vehicles provide less pollution where they are being driven, but are not really environmentally friendly.. yet..

As most people are plugging them into the national grid where over 95% of the energy comes from gas fired power stations releasing vast quantities of CO2.

Only when these power stations are run on full renewable energy with they be properly environmentally friendly.That is many years away I'm afraid

Not accurate I'm afraid, in the last year gas represented 34.4% of electricity generation, coal 1.2%, remainder was renewable (including biomass 5.0%) and imports.

 

[Timberwolf]

Not accurate I'm afraid, in the last year gas represented 34.4% of electricity generation, coal 1.2%, remainder was renewable (including biomass 5.0%) and imports.

That is gas for direct gas fuel ,not gas power station to power electric car.

I was reading the results of the latest research on renewable energy last week.

It states for renewable ..Storage of wind power( crucial when the turbines are not able to turn) is in its infancy, and costs 3 times more to store than the money it can generate.

Storage for solar even worse 6 times more.

This equals there is little in it for big companies to invest in renewables.

There are no short term easy solutions Im afraid.

 

[whateverg]

That is gas for direct gas fuel ,not gas power station to power electric car.

I was reading the results of the latest research on renewable energy last week.

It states for renewable ..Storage of wind power( crucial when the turbines are not able to turn) is in its infancy, and costs 3 times more to store than the money it can generate.

Storage for solar even worse 6 times more.

This equals there is little in it for big companies to invest in renewables.

There are no short term easy solutions Im afraid.

No, it was for electricity generation.

Source: https://grid.iamkate.com/

 

[Coathanger16]

Further to what @Ray Finkle posted recently:

Birmingham Airport terminal transformation to deliver fresh food & beverage partnership opportunities

Under current plans, up to six new F&B opportunities will arise airside at Birmingham Airport, with outlets ranging from 150sq m to 450sq m.

www.moodiedavittreport.com

Key projects at Birmingham Airport between now and 2033 include:

*New security screening (June 2024)
*Turning existing security into airside F&B (2025)
*Phase 2 of security upgrade including air-rail link
*Check-in area upgrade
*Systems including Air Traffic Control
*Immigration
*Baggage reclaim
*Improved road and rail connections
*Air-rail link to HS2 Interchange station
*Runway, taxiways, apron upgrades

 

[Ray Finkle]

Further to what @Ray Finkle posted recently:

Birmingham Airport terminal transformation to deliver fresh food & beverage partnership opportunities

Under current plans, up to six new F&B opportunities will arise airside at Birmingham Airport, with outlets ranging from 150sq m to 450sq m.

www.moodiedavittreport.com

Key projects at Birmingham Airport between now and 2033 include:

*New security screening (June 2024)
*Turning existing security into airside F&B (2025)
*Phase 2 of security upgrade including air-rail link
*Check-in area upgrade
*Systems including Air Traffic Control
*Immigration
*Baggage reclaim
*Improved road and rail connections
*Air-rail link to HS2 Interchange station
*Runway, taxiways, apron upgrades

Very nice and definitely needed

I remember the bar in what used to be known as the Millennium Link, it had views across some of the apron to enjoy with a beer. Hopefully this will offer something similar.

 

[Timberwolf]

Taken from the article posted in the infrastructure thread by @Coathanger16

Twin focus: Low-cost and long-haul strategy


Birmingham Airport says that it currently ‘leaks’ up to 40% of its low-cost leisure customers to other UK airports. By increasing destinations, frequencies and airlines it plans to improve its share among these carriers. EasyJet is developing a base for three aircraft at the airport.

The airport company is also using the traffic growth and the addition of HS2 connectivity to market to global carriers. Having secured strong Middle Eastern connections, New York, Toronto, Mumbai and Hong Kong are among its next targets.

Birmingham Airport terminal transformation to deliver fresh food & beverage partnership opportunities

Under current plans, up to six new F&B opportunities will arise airside at Birmingham Airport, with outlets ranging from 150sq m to 450sq m.

www.moodiedavittreport.com

They need a terminal expansion not fiddling about with the current space.

 

[tompo]

Agreed: This is not enticing progress but papering over the cracks. However, being left behind has (sadly) always been the norm and the exciting ideas that were mooted only a few years ago are now distant memories.

 

[Timberwolf]

Further to what @Ray Finkle posted recently:

Birmingham Airport terminal transformation to deliver fresh food & beverage partnership opportunities

Under current plans, up to six new F&B opportunities will arise airside at Birmingham Airport, with outlets ranging from 150sq m to 450sq m.

www.moodiedavittreport.com

Key projects at Birmingham Airport between now and 2033 include:

*New security screening (June 2024)
*Turning existing security into airside F&B (2025)
*Phase 2 of security upgrade including air-rail link
*Check-in area upgrade
*Systems including Air Traffic Control
*Immigration
*Baggage reclaim
*Improved road and rail connections
*Air-rail link to HS2 Interchange station
*Runway, taxiways, apron upgrades

Further to what @Ray Finkle posted recently:

Birmingham Airport terminal transformation to deliver fresh food & beverage partnership opportunities

Under current plans, up to six new F&B opportunities will arise airside at Birmingham Airport, with outlets ranging from 150sq m to 450sq m.

www.moodiedavittreport.com

Key projects at Birmingham Airport between now and 2033 include:

*New security screening (June 2024)
*Turning existing security into airside F&B (2025)
*Phase 2 of security upgrade including air-rail link
*Check-in area upgrade
*Systems including Air Traffic Control
*Immigration
*Baggage reclaim
*Improved road and rail connections
*Air-rail link to HS2 Interchange station
*Runway, taxiways, apron upgrades

The biggest take from this release is there is NOW.. absolutely no mention of the lounge extension which featured as the largest part of their master plan with 2 pages dedicated to it.With numerous big drawings of how it would look.

Wr can only hope its omitted in error otherwise its utterly shocking to go into the 2030s with no extra lounge space for the increasing passenger numbers !!

 

[IanFarquharson]

Looks to me like the planned / mothballed terminal expansion will no take shape now by turning existing security area into airside space in 2025.

 

[Coathanger16]

I guess some people will just never be happy.

Government mandated changes to security requirements in UK airports forcing BHX's hand into developing a new security area.

By the sounds of it, some forum members would rather the airport leave the existing security space empty and unused and build a terminal extension than do what the airport has proposed.

Whilst re-purposing the Millennium Link doesn't add new space overall to the airport, it will make the departure lounge bigger by probably at least as much as the previous upwards extension did if not more. It will also be finished earlier than a completely new build extension would be.

Currently very few people use the link to the Eurohub because they largely think nothings down there and only head over to the South side if their flight is departing from there and the flight has been called. With this latest proposal, the link will be opened up, drawing in passengers and spreading them out across the whole of the terminal rather than concentrate them in the "main" departure lounge.

Surely it's better to use what you have first, then only build new once that's your only option?

 

[IanFarquharson]

I guess some people will just never be happy.

Government mandated changes to security requirements in UK airports forcing BHX's hand into developing a new security area.

By the sounds of it, some forum members would rather the airport leave the existing security space empty and unused and build a terminal extension than do what the airport has proposed.

Whilst re-purposing the Millennium Link doesn't add new space overall to the airport, it will make the departure lounge bigger by probably at least as much as the previous upwards extension did if not more. It will also be finished earlier than a completely new build extension would be.

Currently very few people use the link to the Eurohub because they largely think nothings down there and only head over to the South side if their flight is departing from there and the flight has been called. With this latest proposal, the link will be opened up, drawing in passengers and spreading them out across the whole of the terminal rather than concentrate them in the "main" departure lounge.

Surely it's better to use what you have first, then only build new once that's your only option?

I totally agree, the point I was trying to make is BHX appear to have dropped the terminal extension and used the budget on these mandatory changes required to screening etc.
And will use the existing space for more airside space.
Makes complete sense to me, I am not disagreeing at all.

 

[Coathanger16]

I totally agree, the point I was trying to make is BHX appear to have dropped the terminal extension and used the budget on these mandatory changes required to screening etc.
And will use the existing space for more airside space.
Makes complete sense to me, I am not disagreeing at all.

My post was more referring to the comments above yours Ian.

 

[IanFarquharson]

My post was more referring to the comments above yours Ian.

I think BHX are just trying to utilise what space they have the most cost efficiently.
The whole screening changing requirements were not known about when the last masterplan was published, so this work has had to take proirity to be up and running by S24.
I think we will be pleasently surprised what a difference this piece of work will have delivered come S25 when the existing screening area is more airside space and should remove the need to build to originally planned extension.
Would be nice to have both but it wont happen in the short term.

 

[Brum X]

But seriously going into the 2030s, BHX needs both and both should be in the airports future plans, that is utilising existing space absolutely, however the (suggested) mothballed terminal extension is a disgrace and that means we will have the same conversation in another 5 years.

It just shows UK PLC at its best which is woeful

We never learn, infrastructure projects in this country are a laughing stock. And we all wonder why we are all so miserable when we land back in the UK. Just look around you. Everything is falling apart or broken.



Sorry I'm moaning again, been in moan zone this week. Must be the weather.

Happy Friday everyone

 

[Aviador]

But seriously going into the 2030s, BHX needs both and both should be in the airports future plans, that is utilising existing space absolutely, however the (suggested) mothballed terminal extension is a disgrace and that means we will have the same conversation in another 5 years.

It just shows UK PLC at its best which is woeful

We never learn, infrastructure projects in this country are a laughing stock. And we all wonder why we are all so miserable when we land back in the UK. Just look around you. Everything is falling apart or broken.



Sorry I'm moaning again, been in moan zone this week. Must be the weather.

Happy Friday everyone

I couldn't agree more. It's definitely a UK Plc syndrome. If you look at other UK airports they are suffering from the same problem. We had a decent sized "transformational project" at MAN but the quality of the build was severely watered down and some parts of it look cheap and tacky.

Across the Pennines we had the stalled LBA new terminal plan which was going to provide a "state of the art first class facility". Again UK Plc put a stop to that and we now have a watered down version comprising of a terminal extension onto a 1060s crescent shaped building. As welcomed as it is, it isn't ideal.

BHX seems to be suffering from UK Plc syndrome too with terminal projects seemingly scaled back. It's hugely disappointing that the UK as a whole doesn't seem to have any ambition and even when it does, planning rules and red tape always get in the way.

Having said all that, the retail plans above look superb and if it looks anything close it will be impressive.

Does BHX suffer from low ceiling hight associated with many older buildings?