You're all absolutely right and I wrote to the BAA
PR office about it, only to receive a 'stock answer' in that the Government advised that all public viewing areas be closed on security grounds. The stupid thing about all this is that they don't think logically. Okay, the roof gardens at Heathrow on Terminal 2 and the Queens Building were wonderful viewing areas and could possibly be used by a terrorist to attack an airliner, but do you really think they could do that surrounded by lots of photographers and spotters?
Did they consult any of the hoards that used to gather up there to see what the alternative could be...NO! So they build this useless 'Visitors Centre' completely in the wrong place. If I was given the task, I'll tell you where I would build it - the grass area at the end of Myrtle Avenue on the approachto 27L. If you don't know where I'm talking about, you are obviously not a Heathrow regular! An alternative would be to knock down the small white sheds between the BA Engineering Base and the main runway approach, both locations Up-Sun and exactly where photographers/spotters have stood for years and years without causing any trouble whatsover! Have BAA considered these locations - NO WAY!
