Manchester: Airport Transformation Programme

[Scottie Dog]

Looking at an aerial photograph it seems the new Pier structure is not, as yet, as long as I had expected.
It appears to go from a position that starts alongside the apron road behind stand 247 through to the head of stand 86.

 

[Dobbo]

Looking at an aerial photograph it seems the new Pier structure is not, as yet, as long gone as I had expected.
It appears to go from a position that starts alongside the apron road behind stand 247 through to the head of stand 86.

Do you mean not as long as expected Scottie? If so I agree, don't know if the length is finished or not! Also don't know if there is any certainty that the remaining finger piers follow this design...

 

[Scottie Dog]

Don't you just love predictive text!!

Anyway to answer your question I can see a number of girder bases leading from the current satellite towards where the terminal link will be - replacing the West Pier. This missing section of the Pier should be large enough to accommodate 3 aircraft parked nose-in. My thinking being one where stand 218 is, one where taxiway D is and the third where stand 247 is currently located.

 

[User001]

If read that too but clearly not!

 

[Dobbo]

I wonder if the term "satellite" which I also saw was not quite accurate.

Perhaps the main terminal building will be used for security etc. But boarding and disembarking would be done in the new pier?

 

[Jamman]

Perhaps the main terminal building will be used for security etc. But boarding and disembarking would be done in the new pier?

I think this is more likey - while the space between the new pier and the old terminal is a building site.

 

[Dobbo]

Apparently the first tower crane should appear in the next week or so.

Presumably signals the start of construction on either the T2 extension, or a MSCP.

 

[Dobbo]

Yes, but remember what the original MAN renders looked like....

 

[User001]

These are the revised renders. Their original renders looked different to this too.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Apparently the first tower crane should appear in the next week or so.

Presumably signals the start of construction on either the T2 extension, or a MSCP.

The first crane is for the new multi-storey car park.

Out of interest I'm planning on an airport visit tomorrow morning and will try to get some up to date photos to post on here.

 

[Dobbo]

The first crane is for the new multi-storey car park.

Out of interest I'm planning on an airport visit tomorrow morning and will try to get some up to date photos to post on here.

Very much looking forward to them.

 

[Dobbo]

Behind the old pepper pot?

 

[User001]

That's the one.

 

[Scottie Dog]

I have now created an album showing today's photographs. My apologies if some are not of the best quality, but they do give an overall impression of the work being undertaken.

https://www.forums4airports.com/media/albums/64/

 

[Dobbo]

Love the album @Scottie Dog - the pier looks much bigger again than I thought.

It looks like the main structure is being extended towards the link, but the far end of the pier is where it will end up? Does that seem right?

I wonder what they will use the space at the end for. It seems under-utilised given that you will have likely 4 stands for large aircraft with a relatively small amount of gate space allocated at the end of the pier...

 

[Scottie Dog]

Love the album @Scottie Dog - the pier looks much bigger again than I thought.

It looks like the main structure is being extended towards the link, but the far end of the pier is where it will end up? Does that seem right?

I wonder what they will use the space at the end for. It seems under-utilised given that you will have likely 4 stands for large aircraft with a relatively small amount of gate space allocated at the end of the pier...

To answer the questions (and these are only my personal thoughts) I do believe that the pier has reached its maximum length. Remember that they need room for the taxiway to go around the head of the pier to reach the stands on the other side. Look at Photo 4980 - that I have just added to the album you will possibly see that the pier extends as far as the grass island that separates the Jet2.com aircraft parked nose to nose in the mid-ground. Now allow a little more distance for the airbridge anchor structures and you will see what I am trying to say.

As far as size is concerned, yes it is big and the size of the workmen in Photos 4974, 4976 and 4985 give an indication of this.

 

[Scottie Dog]

View attachment 6719 Expanding a little on my post of yesterday, I have now managed to post a copy of the airport apron layout.

Looking at the chart above, Pier 1 looks to extend out to the area just above the '8' in stand 86 - the stand nearest to the words 'Under Construction' at the top left. The TUI B737 (in IMG 4978 from the album) is parked on stand 217 and therefore it appears that there is still at least that aircraft's length of pier still to be built.

 

[Dobbo]

Video drive around courtesy of "marni1971" on SSC.

 

[Scottie Dog]

I incorrectly labelled this photo - I now believe it is Link & Pier Lift Shaft Walls Progressing (as per PlaneTalk MANTP update 16).

https://www.forums4airports.com/media/5917/full

 

[Dobbo]

Can't wait for the "EasyPier" at T2... Bright orange I've heard?!!!

Joking aside, this is going to be an interesting expansion I fancy.