Luton DART and Luton Airport Parkway Updates

[Bald Rick]

Are they still planning not to open it until 2022? Is it the buildings they are waiting for? Obviously testing is required but persumably it is two isolated single car systems so I wouldn't of thought there were that many perturbations to test?

Well clearly it’s not finished yet - looks like a lot of the systems need to be complete (platform screen doors, ventilation, lighting, etc).

Then all the individual systems need testing, then integration testing.

Then there will be dozens of operational tests to complete. Trial evacuations in the tunnels, in the trench, on the bridge, at the station when the doors don’t open, and so on. Testing protocols for an emergency landing. What to do when the rail station or airport is closed in a hurry. Failure of the ventilation. What to do if one car is out of service unexpectedly and/or for a prolonged period. I won’t go on, but there is so much to test on a system like this, and it takes time. Then there will be a period of trial operation with everything working but no paying passengers, to shakedown everything. If I was them I’d do this for at least 2-4 weeks.

 

[Edvid]

Are they still planning not to open it until 2022? Is it the buildings they are waiting for? Obviously testing is required but persumably it is two isolated single car systems so I wouldn't of thought there were that many perturbations to test?

In addition, construction of the last third of the DART station building (the two purple canopies below, under which the entrance/ticketing facilities/gateline etc will be situated) didn't start until somewhat recently as that space was needed to allow the other reserved matters build (footbridge etc) to be lifted into place. The ground floor concrete slab is done, and now they're getting ready to pour the rest of the first floor slab if they're not doing so already.

 

[Glenn1969]

Plus as yet no one knows when services "in bulk" from airports like Luton will be able to resume

 

[Aictos]

In addition, construction of the last third of the DART station building (the two purple canopies below, under which the entrance/ticketing facilities/gateline etc will be situated) didn't start until somewhat recently as that space was needed to allow the other reserved matters build (footbridge etc) to be lifted into place. The ground floor concrete slab is done, and now they're getting ready to pour the rest of the first floor slab if they're not doing so already.

Thank you for that, I was passing though the station recently and thought they had finished with the station building for DART only to see that wasn't the point.

In other news the canopy for the new waiting room on Platform 2/3 is being installed as it's more or less complete on the Platform 3 side.

One thing that does concern me with regards to the escalators to the DART station building from the platform is they seem to be exposed to the elements? Is there any intention to provide shelter from the elements?

 

[InOban]

Well clearly it’s not finished yet - looks like a lot of the systems need to be complete (platform screen doors, ventilation, lighting, etc).

Then all the individual systems need testing, then integration testing.

Then there will be dozens of operational tests to complete. Trial evacuations in the tunnels, in the trench, on the bridge, at the station when the doors don’t open, and so on. Testing protocols for an emergency landing. What to do when the rail station or airport is closed in a hurry. Failure of the ventilation. What to do if one car is out of service unexpectedly and/or for a prolonged period. I won’t go on, but there is so much to test on a system like this, and it takes time. Then there will be a period of trial operation with everything working but no paying passengers, to shakedown everything. If I was them I’d do this for at least 2-4 weeks.

Essentially the same process as for Crossrail.

 

[Bald Rick]

Plus as yet no one knows when services "in bulk" from airports like Luton will be able to resume

No-one knows for sure, but EasyJet are planning on a significant ramp up in schedules from Luton for this summer

 

[westcoaster]

Saw the LRV heading uphill from parkway station on friday evening. Again it was the LRV on the track nearest the train line.

Personally like the rear tail light bar when lit, reminds me of the red rear lights on a Bugatti Chiron.

 

[southern442]

Plus as yet no one knows when services "in bulk" from airports like Luton will be able to resume

To be honest, if it was me I'd want it to be up and running before that time, so that any major faults will occur whilst it is still lightly used, and when more airline traffic comes back it can all operate smoothly.

 

[Bald Rick]

To be honest, if it was me I'd want it to be up and running before that time, so that any major faults will occur whilst it is still lightly used, and when more airline traffic comes back it can all operate smoothly.

It’s safe to say airline traffic will be back in decent numbers before the DART opens.

 

[Glenn1969]

I'm not sure. I think it depends on how other countries vaccine rollouts are going. If I was taking the decision I would wait another year before removing most restrictions on foreign travel because of how far behind us most of them are

 

[Bald Rick]

I'm not sure. I think it depends on how other countries vaccine rollouts are going. If I was taking the decision I would wait another year before removing most restrictions on foreign travel because of how far behind us most of them are

I’m reasonably sure that U.K. residents with proof of vaccine status will be welcomed in most if not all popular tourist destinations by August, and able to enter the U.K. without restriction. That is of course different from allowing non U.K. residents to enter without restriction.

 

[edwin_m]

Most of the countries served by Luton flights have processes that can be relied on to undertake and confirm vaccination with a product also approved in the UK, and are likely to have similar rates of vaccination within a few months. Unless there's a severe outbreak of xenophobia in government (which is always possible), citizens of these countries holding official "vaccination passports" ought to be welcomed in.

 

[Aictos]

I’m reasonably sure that U.K. residents with proof of vaccine status will be welcomed in most if not all popular tourist destinations by August, and able to enter the U.K. without restriction. That is of course different from allowing non U.K. residents to enter without restriction.

Not everybody will be able to travel by August though as for example those aged 30 to 45 won't get their second vaccine until October and those aged 18 to 30 likely won't get their second one until November IF the vaccination carries on at it current speed.

Therefore I doubt very much that any air travel will pick up much before Spring 2022, there might be a little bump for Summer 2021 but the biggest increase won't be until next year.

 

[Mike395]

Not everybody will be able to travel by August though as for example those aged 30 to 45 won't get their second vaccine until October and those aged 18 to 30 likely won't get their second one until November IF the vaccination carries on at it current speed.

Therefore I doubt very much that any air travel will pick up much before Spring 2022, there might be a little bump for Summer 2021 but the biggest increase won't be until next year.

I'm sorry - what?! we're already vaccinating those aged 41 and over - it's not going to take 6 months to get them a second jab. Fully expect everyone in that bracket to have their first vaccination by the beginning of June at this rate, bar a further dip in supplies of vaccine - so early September-ish to have that age group vaccinated at the latest.

Personally, like @Bald Rick, I predict a late summer surge in demand for air travel - comfortably in time for the DART to open on its scheduled date, or potentially earlier.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm sorry - what?! we're already vaccinating those aged 41 and over - it's not going to take 6 months to get them a second jab. Fully expect everyone in that bracket to have their first vaccination by the beginning of June at this rate, bar a further dip in supplies of vaccine - so early September-ish to have that age group vaccinated at the latest.

I think it's likely that if you want to avoid quarantining (which is to me a "red line", I will not travel internationally until there is no risk of it being required, as it would be disastrous for my mental health) you will need to have had both jabs, and that won't get round everyone until at least autumn.

 

[Geogregor]

I think it's likely that if you want to avoid quarantining (which is to me a "red line", I will not travel internationally until there is no risk of it being required, as it would be disastrous for my mental health) you will need to have had both jabs, and that won't get round everyone until at least autumn.

I don't want to sound negative but from now on there will be permanent risk of quarantine (at least for the next couple of years). Government will be very jumpy and all you will need is a few sneezing folks in the country you traveled to and panic mode might switch on. Especially countries with "island mentality" (and the UK is prime example) will be prone to such actions.

Anyway, even with Luton Airport well below its peak crowds DART will still be useful. I hate those annoying buses to the terminal and will gladly skip the experience.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't want to sound negative but from now on there will be permanent risk of quarantine (at least for the next couple of years). Government will be very jumpy and all you will need is a few sneezing folks in the country you traveled to and panic mode might switch on. Especially countries with "island mentality" (and the UK is prime example) will be prone to such actions.

Yes, that's why I won't travel internationally for a couple of years, I expect. It'll still be there in a couple of years, and in the meantime I can enjoy more of the beautiful UK. Might still fly to Scotland, though.

Anyway, even with Luton Airport well below its peak crowds DART will still be useful. I hate those annoying buses to the terminal and will gladly skip the experience.

Yes, true, that bus operation is horrid in just about every way. I used to avoid it, walk out of/into the back of Parkway, and take an Arriva bus instead. Cheaper too, if I recall.

 

[Bald Rick]

Not everybody will be able to travel by August though as for example those aged 30 to 45 won't get their second vaccine until October and those aged 18 to 30 likely won't get their second one until November IF the vaccination carries on at it current speed.

Therefore I doubt very much that any air travel will pick up much before Spring 2022, there might be a little bump for Summer 2021 but the biggest increase won't be until next year.

Not everyone, no, but 2/3 of the adult population will be fully vaccinated by the end of July, and almost all the rest will have had one dose. And we’re not doing children.

A quick look at flight schedules for Luton shows a significant but steady ramp up from late May to mid July. And given the prices of the flights in school holiday times, people are clearly buying tickets in quantity. Luton will be back at passenger numbers of about a decade ago from the latter half of the summer.

 

[edwin_m]

The amount of spam I'm getting from Easyjet they clearly think they will be running flights that need to be filled. Either that or their staff have nothing better to do and are spending the time sending emails.

 

[Mike395]

Allow me to rephrase it, those in their 30s are yet to receive their first jab and as it is recommended to have 3 months or 12 weeks between the first and the second jab for those of us in their 30s, it's unlikely to be before July that they get their second jab - that is only if they start with the first jab next week too.

Bearing in mind it was stated by the Govt that those people would have their first jab by July, I can't see them having their second jab in time to allow them to fly away in August.

Indeed I have just used this calculator and it states using my own details that:

Given a vaccination rate of 3,565,521 a week and an uptake of 100%, you should expect to receive your first dose of vaccine between 19/05/2021 and 21/06/2021.

You should then get your second dose by between 11/08/2021 and 13/09/2021.

Someone who is 18 for example, the calculator states:

Given a vaccination rate of 3,565,521 a week and an uptake of 100%, you should expect to receive your first dose of vaccine between 21/06/2021 and 29/07/2021.

You should then get your second dose by between 13/09/2021 and 21/10/2021.

Therefore It won't be before late October to early November when the entire country has been vaccinated

I don't disagree with any of that - but that's not what your previous post intimated, the implication was that most people aged 30-45 wouldn't be fully vaccinated until October.

In any case - this is drifting off topic from the Luton DART project (and I'm just as guilty as others on this! **slaps own wrist**) - back on topic please!

 

[Edvid]

One thing that does concern me with regards to the escalators to the DART station building from the platform is they seem to be exposed to the elements? Is there any intention to provide shelter from the elements?

There won't be any sidewalls next to the platform escalators if that's what you're asking. Just the canopies above.

Also, here's a video of the car installation from 2 or so months ago.

 

[Bald Rick]

I was at Airport Parkway yesterday briefly and saw both vehicles running up and down the tracks being tested. Can’t post video (too large) but here is a still.

 

[Aictos]

There won't be any sidewalls next to the platform escalators if that's what you're asking. Just the canopies above.

Also, here's a video of the car installation from 2 or so months ago.

No side walls? That's shortsighted especially considering the British weather eg in the snow and rain etc

 

[Bald Rick]

No side walls? That's shortsighted especially considering the British weather eg in the snow and rain etc

I was there yesterday, noted the absence of side walls... but the canopy over the top is very wide. On the Up Slow platform side there will be protection from the DART terminal building and the adjacent hotel; for the Down Fast platform the adjacent Iceland will do the same. For the other platforms it’s going to have to be raining sideways for it to be an issue. Perhaps a couple of times a year...

 

[Edvid]

Paid a visit to Parkway for the first time since the pandemic started.

They've cast the ground floor pillars since the link bridge was added, and I imagine the rebar for the first floor will be put in place before long.

I see the attachment limit is 10 pictures per post*, so here are 6 more - focusing more on the current Kimpton Road station entrance.

[* My second post got merged with the first, so all 16 ended up together anyway]

 

[Edvid]

The first floor slab is now in place, so it shouldn't be long until the 'missing' canopy structures start to emerge.

LTN is looking evermore like a station that serves what was the UK's fifth busiest passenger airport before COVID struck.

 

[Yindee8191]

The first floor slab is now in place, so it shouldn't be long until the 'missing' canopy structures start to emerge.

LTN is looking evermore like a station that serves what was the UK's fifth busiest passenger airport before COVID struck.

Great pictures, thank you! To me it looks kinda like a mini version of the new Reading station.

 

[Edvid]

Yeah, I can see the resemblance too.

Major contrast to the centre of Luton, where after 40+ years it seems everything but the station building has changed (despite plans for a major rebuild 20+ years ago IIRC). Thankfully (in my case) Parkway is closer to home.

 

[Edvid]

We finally have footage from inside the shuttle.

https://twitter.com/LLA_Ltd/status/1404359032870256640

 

[MatthewRead]

We finally have footage from inside the shuttle.

https://twitter.com/LLA_Ltd/status/1404359032870256640

But sadly no shots of the interior yet.