If only BAA had portrayed the third runway as a "safety realignment of 23" rather than a "new" third runway, they would have gained about 20 years over the HACAN lot.
Originally Posted by
DaveReidUK
The terminal, and main apron, were to the north of the parallel taxiway, with a smaller apron to the south
Article in Propliner magazine, quite a while ago, by someone who was in Ground Control in the 1950s, described these arrangements. The apron coaches were operated under contract by London Transport, using the vehicles which also did the run to Central London, or the previous generation of these. It was regarded as easy work compared to regular bus driving, so tended to be staffed by the most senior drivers, close to retirement. They would hesitantly pick their way across and around the live taxyway, and found this new-fangled radio thing in the cab a bit beyond them, or even the stand numbers. In winter rain and fog, with aircraft landing lights blaring at them, let alone props whizzing round, there were a number of interesting encounters.