Luton-9
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: South Beds
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I grudgingly use Addison Lee for the convenience, particularly if my flight is late and I just want to get home. £14 for a c.7 min journey within Luton is ridiculous though. I asked earlier this year about the high prices and they told me point blank that "the airport set the prices we have to charge". I didn't believe them, but is there any truth to this?
As for cars touting for business, if they are Luton Hackney cabs then they can pick up but not use any ranks and fares would be metered. Private hire cars must be pre-booked by you directly through their office (not the driver), get in one without doing this and you will be uninsured. Local mini-cab firms would rather not touch the airport for short run pick up/drop off. Too much hassle and time spent getting in and out. Cheapest (and often quickest) way of avoiding AL and airport charges is to spend less than the 3 quid fee on a bus into town and grab a mini-cab there.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Crawley
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rather than the airport set the charges AL will be paying LLA a shed load for the concession. I believe 30% of the fare goes to AL. One mini-cab driver I know returned his keys to go back to a local firm as he had to take £1000 in fares gross per week to clear £320 net. He explained it as: 30% to AL = £700. Rent of car £200, fuel £150 and a few misc items. Being self-employed the 320 is before any NI and tax liabilities.
As for cars touting for business, if they are Luton Hackney cabs then they can pick up but not use any ranks and fares would be metered. Private hire cars must be pre-booked by you directly through their office (not the driver), get in one without doing this and you will be uninsured. Local mini-cab firms would rather not touch the airport for short run pick up/drop off. Too much hassle and time spent getting in and out. Cheapest (and often quickest) way of avoiding AL and airport charges is to spend less than the 3 quid fee on a bus into town and grab a mini-cab there.
As for cars touting for business, if they are Luton Hackney cabs then they can pick up but not use any ranks and fares would be metered. Private hire cars must be pre-booked by you directly through their office (not the driver), get in one without doing this and you will be uninsured. Local mini-cab firms would rather not touch the airport for short run pick up/drop off. Too much hassle and time spent getting in and out. Cheapest (and often quickest) way of avoiding AL and airport charges is to spend less than the 3 quid fee on a bus into town and grab a mini-cab there.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A new planning statement has been placed on the towns planning application portal.
The statement which runs to 19 pages includes the reasoning why the canopy footprint was shrunk to next to nothing.
So there you have it, a couple of mini awnings fronting the terminal and a narrow walkway fits the bill.
The two aprons around the former flying club are now going to be left for business aviation
Also the capacity has been set in the planning permission at 18 million passengers so there can't be any extra passenger creep without permission.
The new total floors space of the terminal is 89,242m2
Lots of other stuff mentioned that I won't go into here but it is available online to download.
Images showing hints of the second multistory and the station.
The statement which runs to 19 pages includes the reasoning why the canopy footprint was shrunk to next to nothing.
The main purpose of the canopy is to provide shelter for passengers queuing for buses in the CTA. During design development of the forecourt and canopy, it became apparent that the originally proposed canopy was at a height which would not provide cover from rain in windy conditions. A revised design has developed to deliver a lower canopy which will provide better shelter from the rain.
Cover is provided for passengers entering and exiting the terminal through two separate awning canopies, and a third canopy is provided for passengers walking to, and queueing for, Luton Airport Parkway transfer buses. The materials used in the construction of the canopy shall be white PVC coated tensile transparent fabric membrane.
Cover is provided for passengers entering and exiting the terminal through two separate awning canopies, and a third canopy is provided for passengers walking to, and queueing for, Luton Airport Parkway transfer buses. The materials used in the construction of the canopy shall be white PVC coated tensile transparent fabric membrane.
The two aprons around the former flying club are now going to be left for business aviation
3.6 North Stands
The planning application included indicative drawings for the North Stands. The demand for general aviation remains high at the airport, and it was decided during design development that this space was best used for this purpose, particularly given the orientation of access and egress from the space. As an added benefit, more separation space has been provided between retained building 104 and operational areas. hangar 55 will be demolished as per the original plans, in due course. The changes proposed are restricted to siting changes to improve circulation and separation distances. Drawing number 40153-01 shows the plan details.
The planning application included indicative drawings for the North Stands. The demand for general aviation remains high at the airport, and it was decided during design development that this space was best used for this purpose, particularly given the orientation of access and egress from the space. As an added benefit, more separation space has been provided between retained building 104 and operational areas. hangar 55 will be demolished as per the original plans, in due course. The changes proposed are restricted to siting changes to improve circulation and separation distances. Drawing number 40153-01 shows the plan details.
3.5 Central Search Area
The originally permitted scheme increased the number of security lanes from twelve to twenty in the new central search area. Since that time, LLAOL has completed research which has demonstrated 16 lanes, using the latest generation of automatic tray return systems (TRS), are required. All changes are internal. Drawing numbers 40153-11 and 40153-12 show the plan details.
LLAOL will increase the number of security lanes from twelve to fourteen in 2018, earlier than originally planned, using manual tray return systems, and then increase capacity using the latest generation of TRS as dictated by passenger number demands. The overall size of the Central Search Area is not reduced from the original plan.
The proposed change provides the further benefits of creating a more open space, for an improved passenger experience.
The originally permitted scheme increased the number of security lanes from twelve to twenty in the new central search area. Since that time, LLAOL has completed research which has demonstrated 16 lanes, using the latest generation of automatic tray return systems (TRS), are required. All changes are internal. Drawing numbers 40153-11 and 40153-12 show the plan details.
LLAOL will increase the number of security lanes from twelve to fourteen in 2018, earlier than originally planned, using manual tray return systems, and then increase capacity using the latest generation of TRS as dictated by passenger number demands. The overall size of the Central Search Area is not reduced from the original plan.
The proposed change provides the further benefits of creating a more open space, for an improved passenger experience.
The new total floors space of the terminal is 89,242m2
Lots of other stuff mentioned that I won't go into here but it is available online to download.
Images showing hints of the second multistory and the station.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Love that the top picture shows the fairground style fast food outlets still in place, will they become a permanent fixture I wonder.
On a different note , I noticed in the planning application for the MPT that they are going to construct the Gateway Bridge on land between the Ibis budget hotel and the main roundabout ( land currently used for car storage) before transportation to site.
The traffic management plan is a interesting read in itself!!
The Bridge Is due to be built starting Jan 2019 with anticipated finish of Oct 2019.
Work should start on preparing the build area and a seperate parking area in Proctor Way in September.
On a different note , I noticed in the planning application for the MPT that they are going to construct the Gateway Bridge on land between the Ibis budget hotel and the main roundabout ( land currently used for car storage) before transportation to site.
The traffic management plan is a interesting read in itself!!
The Bridge Is due to be built starting Jan 2019 with anticipated finish of Oct 2019.
Work should start on preparing the build area and a seperate parking area in Proctor Way in September.
Last edited by Falcon666; 11th Aug 2018 at 16:29. Reason: update on dates
Rather than the airport set the charges AL will be paying LLA a shed load for the concession. I believe 30% of the fare goes to AL. One mini-cab driver I know returned his keys to go back to a local firm as he had to take £1000 in fares gross per week to clear £320 net. He explained it as: 30% to AL = £700. Rent of car £200, fuel £150 and a few misc items. Being self-employed the 320 is before any NI and tax liabilities.
As for cars touting for business, if they are Luton Hackney cabs then they can pick up but not use any ranks and fares would be metered. Private hire cars must be pre-booked by you directly through their office (not the driver), get in one without doing this and you will be uninsured. Local mini-cab firms would rather not touch the airport for short run pick up/drop off. Too much hassle and time spent getting in and out. Cheapest (and often quickest) way of avoiding AL and airport charges is to spend less than the 3 quid fee on a bus into town and grab a mini-cab there.
As for cars touting for business, if they are Luton Hackney cabs then they can pick up but not use any ranks and fares would be metered. Private hire cars must be pre-booked by you directly through their office (not the driver), get in one without doing this and you will be uninsured. Local mini-cab firms would rather not touch the airport for short run pick up/drop off. Too much hassle and time spent getting in and out. Cheapest (and often quickest) way of avoiding AL and airport charges is to spend less than the 3 quid fee on a bus into town and grab a mini-cab there.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Construction update
Very slowly the routes to the new entrances are opening up but there is still months of work until the whole area around the bus station is complete.
A more direct route from the shuttle bus has been opened. In between the two slopes stairs are being installed made from what looks like granite.
Also making slow progress is the slatted ceiling, which is now going in. The photo shows the only section to be so far completed since the infill opened in April. The photo is taken from the existing terminal with the check-in desks behind the photo. In the distance can be seen the new build.
The site of the 2nd multi story is being covered in hardcore.
Despite the terminal station being below ground the former drop off area is also being covered in hardcore with the level being gradually raised by around 1 metre. At some point most of it will all have to be dug out again.
Finally the update would not be complete without a quick look at the new DART Parkway station interchange. As can be seen this site is also being rolled and raised with hardcore.
As can be seen the photos are dominated by hardcore but there is nothing too much to excite.
A more direct route from the shuttle bus has been opened. In between the two slopes stairs are being installed made from what looks like granite.
Also making slow progress is the slatted ceiling, which is now going in. The photo shows the only section to be so far completed since the infill opened in April. The photo is taken from the existing terminal with the check-in desks behind the photo. In the distance can be seen the new build.
The site of the 2nd multi story is being covered in hardcore.
Despite the terminal station being below ground the former drop off area is also being covered in hardcore with the level being gradually raised by around 1 metre. At some point most of it will all have to be dug out again.
Finally the update would not be complete without a quick look at the new DART Parkway station interchange. As can be seen this site is also being rolled and raised with hardcore.
As can be seen the photos are dominated by hardcore but there is nothing too much to excite.
Last edited by LTNman; 12th Aug 2018 at 11:54.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Monte Carlo
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It’s very frustrating that when they built the East apron pier they did not consult with ATC who would have strongly suggested making the apron a lot wider allowing for a north and south lane so the aircraft could be pushed back and taxi in simultaneously, the way that Stansted aprons operate efficiently. Several times every day aircraft are left waiting in a queue as they all, invariably, want to arrive and depart from that apron at the same time.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Think it was due to not wanting to shrink the CTA, which already has limited space and also now has to fit in a new station. When the temporary drop off zone is moved to the new multi-storey I would expect to see this area to eventually become another apron with around 4 nose in stands as the consultation has already hinted that another apron could be squeezed in together with a modest increase to the terminal capacity to bring the total to 21 million as an interim measure.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
Posts: 5,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is this not a seasonal route anyway? Flights have always been packed when I or other family members have flown there, admittedly only 4 flights, but prices weren't that low either
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Not so many places currently
Age: 60
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Outer London
Age: 43
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would urge urge anyone to use it while they have the chance, a beautiful area, hospitable people and incredibly cheap