JUNE 2018 | MANE RAIL & INFRASTRUCTURE | 11
Self-driving train runs for the first time in the UK
March the final Class 700 train rolled off the production line marking a milestone in the government funded programme
which aimed to upgrade routes and increase capacity on London and South east routes. These trains are the first mainline trains to use Automatic Train Operation. The technology which was developed by Siemens will boost capacity by around 60,000 passengers across more than 80 stations, operating on 12 different routes in 2019.
Later on in March Thameslink passengers were the first to experience the ride on a Class 700. A driver will remain on the new trains to operate the doors and ensure safety. The autonomous technology in the train will allow for trains to run closer together quickly and safely. The technology will be used along with Network Rails new digital signalling technology. With trains running every 2-3 minutes between London St Pancras and London Blackfriars. ■
Heathrow’s 3rd runway is the highest profile case in recent years of major airport infrastructure change, with locals campaigning against the major international airport’s third runway being built. Ultimately, it has gone ahead – and with a third runway being constructed this means more jobs.
Heathrow’s runways have been operating at 98% capacity for over a decade meaning airlines were not able to grow at Heathrow, choosing instead to fly to other European airports. With new runways comes new routes to new places, predicting to launch in 2025.
London Gatwick has a 30-year agreement in place to not build a new runway, and that deal expires in 2019. The airport had tried to build a second runway around the same time Heathrow wanted their third one. With the chance that 2 new runways could be built in London’s two busiest airports in the coming years, there will be plenty of work to do in order to get the both operational by 2025.
Not too far away at London Luton, £100m in development has gone into expanding the airport to increase the number of passengers by 50%, and work is so large that despite having the plans approved nearly 4 years ago, the projected completion date is 2031 – meaning there is plenty of work to be done.
With so much expansion, redevelopment and planned works happening around the UK airports, there is an even greater need now more so than ever to have the manpower to complete such large projects to their potential, on time and budget. Where will the manpower be found when these projects are running concurrently? Mane Contract Services specialises in providing the ideal candidate towards these unique aviation projects both landside and airside.
Mane can source your Document Controllers, Construction Managers, Project Managers, Planners, Estimators, Quantity Surveyors, Commercial Managers, Operations Managers, Associate Directors and Directors with no hassle at all. ■
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