Manchester Airport Transformation Programme

[Scottie Dog]

No update at the moment as PlaneTalk seems to be having a problem getting their latest issue (#50) linked.

Hopefully more info by the weekend!

 

[Scottie Dog]

After various derogatory comments about the terminal extension and pier it's good to see the airbridges will still have glazed sides.

 

[RhysTheBeast]

After various derogatory comments about the terminal extension and pier it's good to see the airbridges will still have glazed sides.

You beat me to it. Nothing nicer than walking down an airbridge able to see outside, and of course, the aircraft you're about to board.

 

[coyotes_uk]

Agreed, its a shame the node's don't have a bit of glass too but, I guess money had to be saved somewhere!

 

[Scottie Dog]

Any thoughts as to the work on the second to last item in the "Summary of Significant Items"?

 

[marni1971]

Any thoughts as to the work on the second to last item in the "Summary of Significant Items"?

A mock up / test of one of the departure gates decor / signage?

 

[Scottie Dog]

I like the way your mind works Marni.

 

[marni1971]

And now, the latest in my occasional drive arounds of the Terminal Two project. This one is called "What a difference a few months make". Especially since now you can drive parallel to the whole of pier one.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Thanks for sharing. Hopefully my next personal photographic report will be done in about 10 days time.

 

[RhysTheBeast]

What is going to happen to what I call the menagerie? The buildings to the rear of T1 and the old CT? They could do with doing away with.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Im not quite certain which buildings you're referring to Rhys.

Does CT, in your shorthand equal control tower? If so then I can only assume you refer to the structure that went from the old main concourse across to the base of the tower? If that's correct then I don't know what is happening in the current timeframe.

Scottie Dog

 

[RhysTheBeast]

Yes, I do apologise, I mean the old control tower and associated structures. The reason I ask is that by getting rid of those buildings, you open up the space to be used more constructively. I guess I shall have to be patient, and wait and see what happens as the works progress. Thanks, Scottie Dog.

 

[Jamman]

And now, the latest in my occasional drive arounds of the Terminal Two project. This one is called "What a difference a few months make". Especially since now you can drive parallel to the whole of pier one.

I note just as you leave the round about to turn into T2 there is a chunk of the building that has been removed, looking at google earth its just a small bit of the building that jutted out, any idea why that has been removed? Something to do with the baggage reclaim area?

 

[Scottie Dog]

Jamman - yes, if you look at my update on this thread from 20th July (page 21) you will see in the 2nd image the work mentioned for the new baggage facility.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Where does the time go? Anyway a visit to the airport was long overdue and so this may be a longer than normal report.

Firstly a couple of observations. As I have previously mentioned, Galliford Try who are doing the apron work around Pier 1, have put a block on photography down the side of Pier 1. Walking down the side of Staff West car park it is now very difficult to see the work being undertaken. To begin with you can only see from the upper level and above and,when you get to where the ground rises you actually totally lose the few due to the new fencing around stands 901/903.

My second thought, as I looked at the photos was how similar the material used on the node for Stand 12 is to that on the nodes on Pier 1.

Finally the Terminal 2 extension (from now on referred to as T2X) now comes out to in line with the road frontage of the existing terminal. The buildings are now also structurally abutting each other and you can imagine the two building being knocked into one.

All in all a lot has happened in the last 5 weeks, although photography is becoming harder as more solid hoarding is erected around the site. This will only become more difficult is time as the terminal gains solid walls.

So, here are the first of today's photos and, as usual, we start on the top of T1 multi-storey car park:

The front of T2 showing that it is definitely a long-haul facility.

The Flybe DHC-8 is still in basic Belgium Airlines colours from a previous lease. Pier 1 is in the background and will the following 4 photos will show the rest of the structure moving towards the terminal.

As I previously mentioned there is, to me, a similarity in the Stand 12 material (on the left of the photo) and that used on Pier 1

Not the clearest of pictures due to dirty outside windows on a Level 5 Tower Block office. This shows work on new taxiway Echo, between B2 & B3.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Now we continue with Part 2:

Approaching T2 through the Skylink you see the work on the new Baggage Hall.

In more detail.

Exiting T2 on the ground floor you can look up from under the old down ramp through to where the old will join the new.

Moving to the upper level of the T2 car park you can now see into the T2X structure and right through to the airside.

Now looking along what will be the landside of T2X and the site of the new down ramp (follow the ramp columns).

 

[Scottie Dog]

Finally Part 3

Moving around towards Pier 1 we get a side view of T2X

What was previously a fairly open view is now limited to a glimpse through a gate. To the right is the new multi-storey car park with T2X beyond.

The next photo shows the Link Connector on the right and T2X rising above.

A temporary structure has been erected at the point where Pier 1 (to the right) joins the Link Connector.

Although not directly correct for this thread I took a photograph from the top of T3's car park. This shows the new car park being built off Ringway Rd.

Finally an reasonably up to date aerial photo of Ringway showing the new work underway.

 

[Scottie Dog]

I'm away at present and will do a full update when I'm home, however I did notice that an OAN has been issued to cover survey work for "new Pier 3 and Pier 2 lounge" between 20th August and 19th October.

The choice of wording is not mine, it's directly from the OAN and reflects earlier mention of lounges on the top of Pier 2.

 

[Comet]

Scottie

The lounges were to be on pier 3 not 2. I think the reference to the lounges relates to the bussing lounge(s) which recently appeared or were mentioned in relation to a recent CGI which showed a hitherto unknown lounge at the start of Pier 2 the short one for the moment.

 

[Scottie Dog]

In hindsight you may well be right Comet. This has been raised by another person in a private email discussion with me.