LUTON -8
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More biz jets seem to backtrack than passenger jets with the biz jets getting airborne before they reach half way along the runway.
That has been Luton for the last 60 years. Some airports like Stansted build the infrastructure first and then start to fill it while Luton waits to beyond heaving, spends 3 or 4 years thinking about it and then finally does something about it so by the time the extra capacity has opened it is already at the new capacity.
That's why they are doing the taxiway at 08 first as that taxiway is reducing the capacity more than the 26 end. Still a shame that they don't go to the ends of the runway as it is a false economy as one day they will have to so to maximize the capacity of the runway.
I think the new intersections will give a runway length of just over 6500ft which is still short of the 7087ft runway that is available.
Trouble is it tends to reach a particular number of passenger BEFORE the infrastructure is put in place- and some of that infrastructure that IS put in place is pretty poor
Once the new extended taxiways are built and connected to the 'close' ends of each runway then I am sure more movements can be accommodated per hour.
I think the new intersections will give a runway length of just over 6500ft which is still short of the 7087ft runway that is available.
The planning application for the MPT is now visible on the council website with plans etc. Interesting to see from the overview plan that some of the mid term car park looks like it will be lost and that the roundabout by the holiday inn could eventually disappear (maybe in connection with the new dual carriageway to Century Park?
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Construction update
The terminal extension is now being clad before all the steelwork has been put in place inside the former bus station.
No steelwork has been added to pier B in the last couple of weeks as work continues on the foundations towards Taxiway Delta
Work has started again to extend the entry route by the drop off zone with existing traffic diverted around the new road.
Remarkable progress on the exit route. It was only a few weeks ago that work started on digging out the embankment now it looks set to open up to the tunnel where it will follow the existing 2 way route. Just shows what extra manpower can achieve.
This is just a guess on my part but I think the exit route will open up to 2 way traffic to allow work to continue on the entry route. Not sure what will happen to the coaches that want to leave the CTA. It might be the case that they will have to travel around the ring road until the entry route is finished. Also all those drivers who drop off on the roundabout will no longer be able to avoid the pay barriers as they follow the new route.
Work continues of the South Stands. Eventually the South Stands will be extended towards Delta
No steelwork has been added to pier B in the last couple of weeks as work continues on the foundations towards Taxiway Delta
Work has started again to extend the entry route by the drop off zone with existing traffic diverted around the new road.
Remarkable progress on the exit route. It was only a few weeks ago that work started on digging out the embankment now it looks set to open up to the tunnel where it will follow the existing 2 way route. Just shows what extra manpower can achieve.
This is just a guess on my part but I think the exit route will open up to 2 way traffic to allow work to continue on the entry route. Not sure what will happen to the coaches that want to leave the CTA. It might be the case that they will have to travel around the ring road until the entry route is finished. Also all those drivers who drop off on the roundabout will no longer be able to avoid the pay barriers as they follow the new route.
Work continues of the South Stands. Eventually the South Stands will be extended towards Delta
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Not only the roundabout but the route as well.
So its goodbye to the former Twin Jet buildings, the brand new Airbabes building. The satellite view ends at this point but it doesn't look good for many companies as it is clear where the route is going.
So its goodbye to the former Twin Jet buildings, the brand new Airbabes building. The satellite view ends at this point but it doesn't look good for many companies as it is clear where the route is going.
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The plans also reveal a few other interesting features..
Page 10010 shows that the current drop off zone (which will have to be subsequently demolished) has two lanes of traffic in addition to the drop-off areas. Is this an attempt to tweak the current design to help traffic flow?
Page 30030 shows that the stairs connecting the footbridge core closest to the terminal will be demolished and moved to the northern side of the core. But apart from that all indications are that both footbridges will remain unchanged.
Page 30030 also has a note "Indicative pedestrian route for drop-off zone passengers". But I can't see on any of the plans where the new zone might be. I guess we'll have to wait for updated plans from the airport for that.
Page 91030 shows that at the Parkway end it looks like the MPT concourse comprises two parts. First part is the new MPT station which links to the existing overbridge at Parkway station. Then there is a second part which appears to be responsibility of Network Rail which is the construction of a second, larger overbridge and link concourse to the new MPT station.
Page 30020 indicates the height of the existing Parkway overbridge and the new MPT station platform level are different - as the link contains both a set of stairs and a longer ramp.
Page 10010 shows that the current drop off zone (which will have to be subsequently demolished) has two lanes of traffic in addition to the drop-off areas. Is this an attempt to tweak the current design to help traffic flow?
Page 30030 shows that the stairs connecting the footbridge core closest to the terminal will be demolished and moved to the northern side of the core. But apart from that all indications are that both footbridges will remain unchanged.
Page 30030 also has a note "Indicative pedestrian route for drop-off zone passengers". But I can't see on any of the plans where the new zone might be. I guess we'll have to wait for updated plans from the airport for that.
Page 91030 shows that at the Parkway end it looks like the MPT concourse comprises two parts. First part is the new MPT station which links to the existing overbridge at Parkway station. Then there is a second part which appears to be responsibility of Network Rail which is the construction of a second, larger overbridge and link concourse to the new MPT station.
Page 30020 indicates the height of the existing Parkway overbridge and the new MPT station platform level are different - as the link contains both a set of stairs and a longer ramp.
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I would doubt that the existing footbridge would have the width to carry all the passengers from the new drop off zone. Also the lift capacity would have to be greatly increased so I can't see the existing bridge doing more than connecting the terminal to the multistory.
I am really surprised at the amount of money that is and has been spent inside the CTA that won't last 3 years. From an airport that was always tight on spending money they are now throwing it away.
I am really surprised at the amount of money that is and has been spent inside the CTA that won't last 3 years. From an airport that was always tight on spending money they are now throwing it away.
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No sign of any new routes from Vueling? Would have been good to see ALC, AGP or PMI added
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Well I have spent a while looking through the plans for the MTS and this is what I have picked up.
91030 Central Terminal Station Site Plan shows a new entrance to the short term car park opposite the station but the short term car park seems to remain. Could the new drop off zone be just the car park? One of the builders compounds will be located in this car park.
There is no third track in the maintenance area to the right of central station so no reserve train in case of breakdown or planned maintenance.
There is no station inside the mid term car park as per the plans at the public meeting.
Some of the approach lights will have to be put on structures that bridge the track as the MTS crossing the approach lights to 08.
I think this is the most interesting document where the cut and cover tunnel will result in all 4 lanes of the duel carriageway having to be moved and then put back. At the meeting I was told all 4 lanes will be maintained when the road is moved but it seems a tough call where they will put it.
91030 Central Terminal Station Site Plan shows a new entrance to the short term car park opposite the station but the short term car park seems to remain. Could the new drop off zone be just the car park? One of the builders compounds will be located in this car park.
There is no third track in the maintenance area to the right of central station so no reserve train in case of breakdown or planned maintenance.
There is no station inside the mid term car park as per the plans at the public meeting.
Some of the approach lights will have to be put on structures that bridge the track as the MTS crossing the approach lights to 08.
I think this is the most interesting document where the cut and cover tunnel will result in all 4 lanes of the duel carriageway having to be moved and then put back. At the meeting I was told all 4 lanes will be maintained when the road is moved but it seems a tough call where they will put it.
Last edited by LTNman; 19th Feb 2017 at 21:19.
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That 91030 Central Terminal Station Site Plan is at very best vague and leaves so many options available.
What they like to use is the word "Indicative". I am taking that as meaning we haven't really made up our minds yet but I think that's where we will send people and put things.
Interesting that they have added the Indicative Drop off Zone route to the side of the station by the vents.
As LTNman states highly likely at least part of the short term car park will be used for dropping off.Drop off on one side of the car park and passengers use the bridge , Drop off on the other and they could go across the road marked up as emergency and fire vehicle use without creating problems to the flow of traffic coming into the car park.
I think we will have to wait for quite a while before we see this in detail.
What they like to use is the word "Indicative". I am taking that as meaning we haven't really made up our minds yet but I think that's where we will send people and put things.
Interesting that they have added the Indicative Drop off Zone route to the side of the station by the vents.
As LTNman states highly likely at least part of the short term car park will be used for dropping off.Drop off on one side of the car park and passengers use the bridge , Drop off on the other and they could go across the road marked up as emergency and fire vehicle use without creating problems to the flow of traffic coming into the car park.
I think we will have to wait for quite a while before we see this in detail.
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Luton has never been able to even coming close to cracking the issues surrounding traffic queues with all of its different drop off zones that we have seen over the last 15 years.
The airport could not use just parking bays of a car park rather than drop off lanes. We have all been stuck in queuing traffic in car parks where some idiot just sits there waiting for someone to leave a space when there are plenty of spaces further on.
Then there is the issue of getting passengers across the road. The 2 lifts take 95% of passengers from the short term car park to the bridge with 5% using the stairs. Those lifts cope well with the demand but maybe 15-20 times more passengers use the drop off zone than the short term are park.
What will be needed is a gentle slope subway or extra wide bridge as lifts and stairs will not be an option due to passenger volumes. The better option subway would mean yet again digging up another section of the approach road.
The airport could not use just parking bays of a car park rather than drop off lanes. We have all been stuck in queuing traffic in car parks where some idiot just sits there waiting for someone to leave a space when there are plenty of spaces further on.
Then there is the issue of getting passengers across the road. The 2 lifts take 95% of passengers from the short term car park to the bridge with 5% using the stairs. Those lifts cope well with the demand but maybe 15-20 times more passengers use the drop off zone than the short term are park.
What will be needed is a gentle slope subway or extra wide bridge as lifts and stairs will not be an option due to passenger volumes. The better option subway would mean yet again digging up another section of the approach road.
Friends have asked how busy is Luton arrivals late on Sunday night through Immigration, they non EU passport holders and worried will get stuck for a long time.