The incidents described are reasonably straightforward and do not lead to gross disorganisation elsewhere. How is it that about once a month something happening at LHR leads to cancellation of half the BA domestic programme for the rest of the day ?
Closing both runways at Europes busiest airport is not straightforward! The domestic program is messed up because a few of the aircraft have diverted and have no estimate as to when they'll be back at LHR, likewise with the crews, and everyone else has a massive slot delay and consequently goes out of hours. I'd challenge the claim that this sort of thing doesn't cause gross disorganisation elsewhere. Last time I saw two runways closed at Frankfurt there was traffic holding over Belgium and aircraft were diverting back to the UK over the channel!
Who allowed Rwy 23 to be closed (seemingly just to park a few more T4 aircraft) when the airport is in such a tight situation
HAL, against the wishes of ATC and the pilot community. Besides, 23 was no use with less than 30 minutes notice anyway as it had stands at the end and all the aircraft needed to be towed away before it could be opened.
It's not as if alternative construction techniques are not possible.
Why are runway-impinging works not done at night
One word - cost.