Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[Aviador]

£16m Heathrow Taxiway Contract Awarded

Construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall has been appointed by Heathrow Airport to work on the £16 million improvement project on phase one of Sierra Taxiway which runs just off the Southern Runway and connects the Cargo areas at Heathrow and the runway to Terminal 4.

Read more: http://www.airportsinternational.com/20 ... rded/16446

 

[Coathanger16]

Hi all. I recently arrived into Heathrow and noticed some construction work going on around the old Terminal 1. Has demolition started or is something else going on?

 

[Aceshigh]

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/tran...eues-amid-border-staff-shortage-a3408521.html

I'm not not on prune but maybe somebody can post this on there ?

If there is no cost to the taxpayer where are the extra border guards coming from ?

With this and the Tube it's been utter chaos in the Capital last few weeks with the transport system truly in meltdown.

 

[Aceshigh]

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...-as-pollution-hits-twice-normal-a3411041.html

 

[Jerry]

Heathrow public consultation on runway 3 has been launched with new options for shortening the runway.
https://www.heathrowconsultation.com/

 

[Aviador]

An extensive new taxiway layout plan too.

 

[Aviador]

Heathrow Expansion Gathers Momentum as Consultation Takes Off

• 10-week consultation offers the public an opportunity to shape Heathrow’s future and how the airport will serve local communities and the UK economy
• Heathrow is seeking views on options to deliver and operate an expanded airport, alongside principles of new airspace design
• Consultation is latest delivery milestone and comes ahead of a Parliamentary vote in the first half of 2018 on a National Policy Statement for a new north-west runway at Heathrow

The planning process for Heathrow expansion is now firmly underway, as the airport today launches what is set to be one of the largest public consultations in the country’s history.

Heathrow’s consultation is a major milestone in delivering an expanded airport - Europe’s largest privately funded infrastructure project, and the best way to keep the UK connected to global growth. For the next ten weeks, Heathrow will seek views on how to shape its plans so it can deliver the huge opportunities of expansion while keeping to the promises it has made to local communities and meeting strict environmental tests.

Over the past year, Heathrow has been working alongside local stakeholders and airline partners to evolve the plans it submitted to the Airports Commission. This engagement has identified options to deliver an expanded hub airport for £2.5 billion less than previous plans – savings to help make sure airport charges stay close to today’s levels. These options can be delivered without compromising on the expansion commitments Heathrow made to local communities – including a world class property compensation scheme, the pledge to introduce a 6.5 hour ban on scheduled night flights and the promise to only release new capacity if air quality limits can be met.

The consultation launched today will be an opportunity for the public to view Heathrow’s emerging proposals and options in detail and provide feedback on them. It will be composed of two parts – the first relates to the physical changes to the ground needed to build a new north-west runway and operate an expanded airport. Feedback is being sought on potential infrastructure options including:

• Three shortlisted options for the new north-west runway with length varying from between 3,200 and 3,500 metres
• Potential locations to expand terminal infrastructure: east of Terminal 2, west of Terminal 5 or a new satellite terminal by the new runway
• Proposed alignment of the M25: repositioning it approximately 150 metres to the west, and lowering it by 7 metres in a tunnel and raising the runway height so it passes over the M25
• Options for changes to local roads and possible changes to two junctions leading to the M25

The airport is also asking for the public to review its plans to manage the effects of expansion on local communities and the environment.

The second part of the consultation relates to potential principles, or ‘rules’, that could apply when designing the new airspace required for an expanded airport. Airspace across the country is being modernised as it has changed little since the 1960s. Changes to airspace will ultimately improve resilience and punctuality for passengers while reducing noise, emissions and the number of late-running flights for local communities. At this early stage, future flight path options are not being consulted on.

Responses can be submitted until the 28th of March at any of the 40 consultation events held across communities surrounding the airport and also online, via email or post. Views heard in Heathrow’s consultation will help to shape and refine the airport’s proposals, which will then be subject to a second public consultation next year. Parliament is expected to vote on a National Policy Statement in the first half of this year, which will set out the policy framework for Heathrow’s final planning submission.

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s Executive Director Expansion, invites local residents and stakeholders to take part in the consultation, saying:

“When the government announced its support for Heathrow expansion it made a clear commitment to keeping Britain open for business. We want an expanded Heathrow to be the world’s best airport, ensuring that our country and its future generations have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

“We need feedback to help deliver this opportunity responsibly and to create a long-term legacy both at a local and national level. Heathrow is consulting to ensure that we deliver benefits for our passengers, businesses across the country but also, importantly, for those neighbours closest to us.”

 

[Aviador]

Heathrow moves into next planning phase as major public consultation closes

• Heathrow expansion reaches another significant milestone as one of the UK’s largest ever public consultations closes today
• Thousands of residents attended 40 events held in communities surrounding Heathrow, providing valuable feedback on options to deliver and operate an expanded airport, alongside principles of new airspace design
• The feedback will help shape a preferred masterplan for expansion which will be put out to a second consultation in early 2019

The next phase of planning for Heathrow expansion is set to commence following engagement with thousands of local people during the first round of the airport’s major community consultation.

Heathrow’s first consultation on its planning proposals for expansion saw thousands of residents visit 40 events held in local communities neighbouring the airport and across London, Surrey and the Thames Valley. Over the past 10 weeks, Heathrow has been seeking views on how to shape its plans to connect the UK to global growth while demonstrating how it will fulfil the promises it has made to local communities and meet strict environmental tests. Communities have been encouraged to provide their feedback on options to deliver an expanded airport and on a selection of principles for new airspace design.

Heathrow will now use this feedback to develop a preferred masterplan for expansion, a process that will involve continuous engagement and input from key stakeholders including neighbouring communities, local authorities, airlines, statutory bodies and the newly established Heathrow Community Engagement Board. Heathrow will consult on its preferred masterplan next year if the Airports National Policy Statement is approved by Parliament in the coming months.

This second consultation will also present the next phase of Heathrow’s airspace change consultation which will show geographic areas within which flight paths could be positioned. Heathrow will ask what local factors should be taken into account when developing new flight paths within these areas which are known as ‘design envelopes’.

Heathrow Expansion Director Emma Gilthorpe, said:

“Moving to the next phase of planning brings us one step closer to helping secure the UK’s future as a prosperous, global trading nation. We remain committed to developing Heathrow in a sustainable and responsible way and will continue working with our many stakeholders, including local communities, to create an expanded airport that delivers for everyone.”

 

[Aviador]

Heathrow launches pitch process for potential commercial development partners

Heathrow Airport is launching a pitch process to encourage potential commercial development partners to share their innovative ideas on how to deliver expansion.

As Heathrow prepares for the next phase of expansion, interested UK businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders are being invited to register an expression of interest. This will kick start a three part process that could see them partner with Heathrow Airport to deliver a variety of infrastructure at the airport.

All ideas will be expected to focus on opportunities that further improve customer service, drive cost efficiency, grow commercial revenues and deliver sustainability targets. Pitches will also need to demonstrate how they meet the commitments outlined in the government’s draft airport national policy statement.

Interested parties will be told in the next fortnight how they can register their interest and details of the eligibility criteria will be posted online. From there, time will be given for long listed parties to form top line business cases. Those that make it through to the short list will be invited to a pitch process with senior Heathrow decision makers. Any organisation or individual that can bring significant value to the nation’s most critical infrastructure project, could be in the frame to become a future commercial development partner.

John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer at Heathrow Airport said: “Over the last 10 years, Heathrow has delivered better service at lower cost, whilst becoming a leader in sustainability. We are now regularly rated as one of the best airports in the world. As we prepare the final masterplan, it is a good time to listen to any proposals that can help us to make Heathrow the most successful hub airport in the world, in a way that is sustainable, affordable and financeable.”

Holland-Kaye concluded: “We have had a number of people approach us during this year’s public consultation, so we have decided to open up a competitive process that will give those with the best ideas a chance to work with us. We are willing to work with anyone who shares our values and who is committed to delivering on the promises we have made on the environment, to our neighbours and to the country.”

Heathrow Airport

 

[jfy1999]

Half-price Heathrow Airport rival plan unveiled

With its Western Hub proposal, the Arora Group claims it can deliver extra passenger capacity at half the cost of Heathrow Airport’s present plan.

The plan drawn up by international airport architect Corgan and US engineering giant Bechtel has won the support of BA, Air Lingus and Virgin Atlantic.

Last week Heathrow Airport Limited called for companies to bid to partner with it on various parts of the expansion scheme.

Arora said this was a step in the right direction but did not go far enough in guaranteeing a truly competitive expansion and wants to run its new terminal as an independent third party.

Arora’s estimated cost for a new runway and Terminal 6 is £14.4bn. This compares with HAL’s plans that were costed by the Airports Commission at £31bn.

 

[nbdm]

The cabinet has backed the third runway plan at Heathrow
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44357580
(Previously posted in the wrong forum, oops)

Heathrow Airport: Cabinet approves new runway plan

Controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport have been approved by ministers.

The government's economic sub-committee, chaired by Prime Minister Theresa May, backed the plans which were then approved by her full cabinet.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said it was a "historic moment".

Announcing £2.6bn in compensation for residents and noise abatement measures, he said it would only proceed if air quality obligations were met.

"The time for action is now," he told MPs, insisting the decision was being taken in the national interest and would benefit the whole of the UK.

The scheme, he insisted, would be entirely funded by private investment and while the expansion was a "number of years away", he believed it could be concluded by 2026.

MPs will be asked to vote on the expansion plans in the coming weeks.

 

[Aviador]

Was this the final hurdle for runway 3?

 

[Jerry]

Was this the final hurdle for runway 3?

I think there is a vote in parliament to come.

 

[Land23R]

Rather than the vote in Parliament, I think the final hurdle will be in the Courts with legal and environmental challenges.
Cost and the potential risk to the public purse
seem to have escaped much attention unfortunately.

But there were other aspects of the Davies Commission report that should have been more forensically examined in my view. And the Airports National Policy Statement was all about LHR, or did I miss something? MAN, BHX, GLA, EDI etc. not to mention LGW and STN, rarely if ever figure in Grayling's thinking.

 

[Jerry]

MAN, BHX, GLA, EDI etc. not to mention LGW and STN, rarely if ever figure in Grayling's thinking.

Of course they don't because in reality they aren't as attractive to airlines as Heathrow is.

 

[nbdm]

I for one am glad something is finally happening, it has taken 9 years to get back to same situation as 2009 when Labour approved the runway.

Rather than the vote in Parliament, I think the final hurdle will be in the Courts with legal and environmental challenges.
Cost and the potential risk to the public purse
seem to have escaped much attention unfortunately.

The BBC were saying this is equivalent to outline planning permission if the commons vote passes, both Heathrow and the government did consultations last year also. Therefore I'd assume that the legal battles couldn't stop the work if it begins as soon as the commons vote passes as it's like any other planning permission then: legal right to construct? - similar to how DCO's work for Highways England?

The BBC could be wrong however and Heathrow still has to go through the normal channels (albeit if they are accelerated somewhat)

As an aside, it was quite irritating to see the transport secretary saying Heathrow was the busiest two runway airport in the world, which isn't true as Dubai also has two runways and is busier

 

[Coathanger16]

I for one am glad something is finally happening, it has taken 9 years to get back to same situation as 2009 when Labour approved the runway.



The BBC were saying this is equivalent to outline planning permission if the commons vote passes, both Heathrow and the government did consultations last year also. Therefore I'd assume that the legal battles couldn't stop the work if it begins as soon as the commons vote passes as it's like any other planning permission then: legal right to construct? - similar to how DCO's work for Highways England?

The BBC could be wrong however and Heathrow still has to go through the normal channels (albeit if they are accelerated somewhat)

As an aside, it was quite irritating to see the transport secretary saying Heathrow was the busiest two runway airport in the world, which isn't true as Dubai also has two runways and is busier

I think essentially what the vote in the commons means if passed is that LHR can submit detailed plans. These still have to be approved by a planning inspectorate. I think LHR have said they expect the formal go ahead (that allows spades to be in the ground) around 2021. The process is outlined further here: https://www.heathrowexpansion.com/the-expansion-plan/planning-process/

I'm not sure how the courts/legal works with this so forgive me if I am looking at this rather simply. If the government has put 'clauses' in the NPS that only allow expansion if LHR meets air quality, noise targets, etc, can they be legally challenged on the grounds of air quality/noise at this stage? If the government has formally stated in the NPS that expansion won't happen if it means breaching air quality/noise, is the government/LHR "breaking the law" by drawing up more detailed plans and applying for planning permission?

 

[Land23R]

Of course they don't because in reality they aren't as attractive to airlines as Heathrow is.

So you seriously think "NATIONAL" policy should be all about Heathrow and nowhere else. Yes, airlines may be more interested in LHR but that doesn't mean they have no interest in airports outside London. Why do CX, SQ, VS, SV etc. operate into Manchester; EK to GLA, BHX, NCL; QR to BHX, EDI and now CWL? Is it just because LHR is allegedly full? Personally, I don't think so in a lot of cases and I believe it's in the wider National interest that such services survive, prosper and grow.
Davies seem to think long haul from the regions was a waste of (air) space so let's see what happens if and when R3 opens.

 

[Jerry]

So you seriously think "NATIONAL" policy should be all about Heathrow and nowhere else. Yes, airlines may be more interested in LHR but that doesn't mean they have no interest in airports outside London. Why do CX, SQ, VS, SV etc. operate into Manchester; EK to GLA, BHX, NCL; QR to BHX, EDI and now CWL? Is it just because LHR is allegedly full? Personally, I don't think so in a lot of cases and I believe it's in the wider National interest that such services survive, prosper and grow.
Davies seem to think long haul from the regions was a waste of (air) space so let's see what happens if and when R3 opens.

Did i say anything about a National policy? The UK government will always be focused towards Heathrow because it's Heathrow and London. Those airlines you mentioned have gone to the regions and aren't going to retreat to Heathrow if a third runway gets built so aren't under threat. What a new runway at Heathrow will be able to attract is routes and airlines that the regions will never be able to attract or would struggle to attract now.
Runway 3 at Heathrow won't stop the regional airports from growing that will continue at whatever pace that happens.

 

[Silvercity]

Did i say anything about a National policy? The UK government will always be focused towards Heathrow because it's Heathrow and London. Those airlines you mentioned have gone to the regions and aren't going to retreat to Heathrow if a third runway gets built so aren't under threat. What a new runway at Heathrow will be able to attract is routes and airlines that the regions will never be able to attract or would struggle to attract now.
Runway 3 at Heathrow won't stop the regional airports from growing that will continue at whatever pace that happens.

May get some regional air link back to LHR too