Darling 'topping out' at Heathrow airport
02.09.05
Alistair Darling, the UK Transport Secretary, performed the traditional 'topping out' ceremony at Heathrow airport Terminal 5 (T5) today, to mark a milestone in the construction of the £4.2 billion project today. The main building structure at T5 - the departure lounge - has reached its full height and this was celebrated by a topping out ceremony.
Due to open in phases starting in March 2008, the new heathrow terminal is the equivalent size of 50 football pitches - or as large as London's Hyde Park. Spread over 5 floors, it is the largest single span building in the UK. The main building is 400m by 180m and will contain 105 lifts, 65 escalators and will consist of 80,000 tonnes of steel.
When fully operation, T5 will allow Heathrow to take an extra 30 million passengers annually, over and above the 70 million it currently deals with. It provide Britain's biggest - and the worlds busiest - airport with an additional 47 aircraft stands.
Said to be Europe's largest building site, work on the £4.2 billion project, situated at the western end of Heathrow airport, began 3 years ago and is expected to continue for another 6 years before all phases of the project are completed.
Phase one of building work comprises the main terminal building itself, a new air traffic control tower, two satellite buildings and the additional stands. Further work will see a 600-bed heathrow airport hotel, more airport parking, a world-class public interchange, a new rail station and extensions to the Heathrow Express and Piccadilly lines to connect with T5.
Mr Darling said 'T5 will provide Heathrow with a new world-class terminal - a spectacular first impression for passengers arriving at the airport. The government is determined to do all that it can to ensure Heathrow's important position in the world.'
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