Manchester: Infrastructure, Developments and Construction

[Scottie Dog]

Bad news time....

Although our friend User001 has previously advised, I have just received new information with regards to the MANTP project.

I quote as follows:

Some enabling work will be underway this winter, such as shrub clearing. I don't know of any piling works but there will be on-going ground investigations which include coring down quite deep with equipment which might be mistaken for a piling rig. You'll see some of this going on along the front of T2 and the far north western stands this month.

We must remember that no contracts to construct have been let and will not be before the MAG Board in early February, at the earliest.

There is more in the information that I received however, at this stage, I would rather not post in on here.

 

[Dobbo]

At least this is moving forward, and we should see some tangible signs of this (as opposed to drawings and renders).

My guess is the priority of construction will be to extend the airfield boundary to the north west adjacent to the motorway. As this should be capable of segregation from the present airfield boundary, this should not cause a problem if construction takes place over the summer season.

In fact, it may make sense for it to be ready for the winter 17 period so that some of the more invasive construction can take place outside of peak times.

 

[owebee1968]

New staff car park "Staff East" to be located off Styal Road (Jet Parks Plus). Part of Staff West furthest away from redevelopment area will remain open for 2 years. Apparently 6 buses per hour will serve each car park.

 

[Dobbo]

The part of staff west adjacent to Runger lane?

I assume access can be maintained while they turn the T2 long stay into airfield? Presumably this is replaced by the 2 MSCPs behind the expanded T2...

 

[owebee1968]

No, sorry didn't make it very clear - on Styal Road, end of the runway where the SEMMS roadworks are at the moment and past the petrol station. Apparently the round trip from Staff East to Tower Road is 4.2 miles.

 

[David_itl]

News of the T3 lounge that's not going to have children allowed in it!

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ned-luxury-waiting-lounge-manchester-12499583

 

[Dobbo]

Not directly airport related, but the A556 bypass (M6-M56 link road) is due to open in another month or two.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/final-phase-of-192-million-a556-dual-carriageway-work-unveiled

Makes acess to the airport that much easier and supports continued growth.

 

[Dobbo]

Courtesy of our friend User001

First piling for T2 extension should start on 25th January and shrub removal around Staff West can be expected around that date.

I believe this clearing has begun.

Good news!

 

[Scottie Dog]

I'm a little confused on this. Yes clearing of some type has started however, according to another source whom I'm unable to name, the airport board has yet to sign-off the TP project and no contracts have been agreed with any construction company. The next board meeting is in February.

All very confusing

 

[Dobbo]

Perhaps one contract is for site clearance and another is for construction?

 

[Scottie Dog]

I've just had a look at the latest Operational Advise Notice (OAN 07/2017) dated 26th January.

The notice refers to MAN-TP Ground Investigations (Part 2) and is effective between 30th January and 3rd February. The work cover various drilling positions between stands 216-219. Holes are of a diameter of 250mm and to a depth of 25 metres. When completed the Core Penetration Tests will be backfilled with load bearing concrete.

Hopefully this gives a slightly better idea of the current work in progress.

 

[Aceshigh]

Not airport news but tucked away in the business section of the Manchester Evening News some interesting data re construction in Manchester. Absolutely booming with multiple scrapers. Can only be good news for the airport.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ster-city-centre-development-highest-12527535

 

[ethanegcc]

Perhaps we need a greater Manchester thread for posts such as this - like Birmingham? Anyone agree?

 

[Dobbo]

I'm not sure we need a standalone thread.

Whilst I agree that economic developments and infrastructure projects are vital to the airports future, we don't need to go into detail here. A generic thread in which these could go (general thread?) would suffice. For detail, there is always SSC.

 

[ethanegcc]

I suppose the debate for these type of posts is where they should go:
a) Greater Manchester new thread
b) infrastructure
c) Manchester airport - general thread

 

[Dobbo]

"The area around T2 is now looking massively different, trees and shrubs around the PTOC are no more and construction fencing has gone up around Palma/Melbourne Avenue.

The concrete plant near the freight terminal is being brought back to life, generators were being unloaded on site today."

Credit to CCGE of dried fruit.

 

[Dobbo]

The most interesting gem from all that is the contributor's comment underneath stating that MAG no longer intend to demolish T1 as part of the long-term development plan for MAG. Instead, refurbishment is on the cards. Hmmm ... I'm not sure that is great news if confirmed. Can anybody shed more light on this?

I've seen a previous phasing plan, and it was always the case that at some point in time the new T2 would be linked to T3 via T1. The point is that unless something has changed, it was always the plan to have the existing T1 building as part of the airport for a number of years post TP of T2.

This may be a misunderstanding from the employee, or it may be a change of plan.

Either way, a refurb or replacement of T1/3 was to be subsequent to the presently announced plans.

 

[Scottie Dog]

For those interested I have just noticed the following NOTAMS - sorry if they are a bit old, but I am only just back into the 'office':

Q) EGTT/QFALT/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5321N00217W005
B) FROM: 17/02/05 20:30C) TO: 17/04/06 04:30
E) AERODROME UNABLE TO ACCEPT TYPES A380, B747-8 AND AN-124 DIVERSIONS
(EXCEPT EMERGENCIES) DUE WIP. SCHEDULED A380 OPERATIONS WILL BE
UNAFFECTED.
A0315/17
Q) EGTT/QMXXX/IV/M/A/000/999/5321N00217W005
B) FROM: 17/02/05 20:30C) TO: 17/04/06 04:30
E) TWY DELTA CLOSED BTN DELTA 5 AND DELTA 6 DUE WIP, TWY QUEBEC WILL BE
IN USE H24 AND WILL HAVE AN UNLIT DIVERTED CL BETWEEN QUEBEC 1 AND
TWY INTERSECTIONS AT DELTA 6 AND NOVEMBER 1, A UNLIT LINK WILL ALSO
BE IN USE BETWEEN INTERMEDIATE HOLDING POINTS (IHP) LIMA 2 AND TWY
Q. FOLLOW ME PROVIDED H24. AIRCRAFT SIZE RESTRICTIONS ARE: IHP LIMA
2 MAX CODE D, TWY QUEBEC MAX CODE E.

 

[Aviador]

Thanks for the update Scottie Dog. It's much appreciated.

 

[Dobbo]

Positive - things are happening in the ground. The development has started.

Negative - the development seems to have taken several significant steps back from that envisaged in June/July 2015:

• The bolt on to T2, which has been known for some time;
• The finger piers being an economical and basic design is a relatively new revelation; and
• The supposed retention and renovation of T1 is most unexpected and unwelcome.

On the last point, it was clearly going to be part of the phasing for the T1 building to be in situ after the completion of T2. My understanding was that T1's demolition would be the final phase. If that is now renovation I would be surprised and disappointed.