T5 construction complete - 27-09-2007 - 17:33

Construction on Heathrow's terminal five has been completed six months ahead of the March 27th opening.

The new terminal, which will see 30 million passengers-a-year pass through its doors is just undergoing the final fitting and testing.

As part of the preparations for real passengers, terminal five is going through its proving trials to ensure everything is in working order, including the 18 kilometres of track for the baggage system.

Not only is the size of the terminal unique in the UK - it is big enough to fit 500 football pitches - but it also includes new security technology.

Before getting on board a plane, passengers will have their photograph and fingerprints taken at passport control before passing their hand luggage through advanced X-ray machines.

Then at the departure gate, their fingerprints are scanned and, if there is a difference between the last scan and the first one, security operatives are notified.

Construction on the terminal was safer than expected, there was one fatality compared to the five that had been predicted.

Construction planned for Blackpool Airport - 21-09-2007 - 15:00

Massive amounts of new construction workare set to take place at Blackpool Airport to accommodate growing numbers of passengers.

The airport in Squires Gate predicts that its capacity will have to increase to accommodate a threefold rise in passenger numbers by 2010.

Some 550,000 passengers are expected to use the terminal this year, with 1.7 million expected by 2010 and 3.4 million by 2030.

In order to serve passengers better, construction plans also include the possibility of moving the Squires Gate railway station.

The new terminal, which will begin construction in 2011 will provide for more passengers but also create more jobs.

According to the plan, the number of direct employees would rise from 390 to over 2,000 by 2015, making it one of the largest employers in Lancashire.

Blackpool Airport commercial director said: "We see an exciting future for Blackpool. We will always be third in the region behind Liverpool and Manchester, but we are the closest airport in the north-west for three million people and that is a major factor."

Construction of transport hub gets go-ahead - 05-09-2007 - 12:35

A scheme to construct a transport interchange on the Isle of Wight has secured £6.2 million in funding.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton has brought forward the construction of the multi-modal interchange by approving the funding for the project at Ryde.

Construction on the project set up by the Isle of Wight County Council is to start later this autumn.

When the interchange is finished it will provide passengers with one site at which they can seamlessly switch between the various modes of transport available on and off the island.

It will allow transport users to go between bus, rail and hovercraft transport while in the comfort and safety provided by CCTV and the comfort of improved seating and heating.

Ms Winterton said: "This scheme will help make public transport a more attractive option for those living and working on the Isle of Wight. It will also provide a more attractive gateway to the island for visitors.

"The updated interchange will mean passengers get better information about the timing of their services, as well as a vastly improved environment in which to wait for them."

Engineering heritage celebrated on canal - 03-09-2007 - 11:24

Engineering feats which form part of the UK's industrial heritage will be celebrated in Bradford-on-Avon wharf next week.

The event organised by British Waterways is an opportunity for visitors to learn about he construction of the canals that facilitated the transportation of goods inland.

A network of more than 2,200 canals and rivers criss-crosses the UK, and the event on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Wiltshire provides an insight into how parts of the system were built.

Construction expert firm Rocket Masonry will demonstrate various different techniques involved in building the canals which British Waterways maintains.

The organisation hopes to educate the public about the role the inland waterways played in the industrial development of the region.

Heritage advisor Simon Loaring told the Wiltshire Times: "Our local waterways tell a fantastic story of our nation's history. This event at Bradford on Avon is a chance for people to see how and where skills used hundreds of years ago on the canals are still used today."