£3.5m revamp of air traffic control tower

BRISTOL Airport’s traffic control tower is to get a £3.5 million overhaul to ensure it meets modern safety standards.

Work began this week on the refurbishment of the 20-year-old tower to ensure it meets the latest building standards and safety regulations. The work will see the building extensively renovated and its carbon footprint reduced by installing a new energy-efficient lighting and heating and cooling system. The lift will also be replaced and the external face of the building renewed.

Insulation of the building will be enhanced and it will be fitted with new doors and windows. There will also be work to the roof and enhanced rest facilities for staff will also be provided.

The investment will provide a significantly improved Air Traffic Control Tower for the National Air Traffic Services colleagues and engineers working on site, providing round-the-clock air traffic services to the airport. The project forms part of Bristol Airport’s overall multi-million-pound development plan enabling 12 million passengers a year to use the airport.

Bristol Airport infrastructure director Andrew Goodenough said: “This £3.5m refurbishment project represents a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise our air traffic control infrastructure and continues to ensure the highest levels of safety and efficiency. We have worked closely with the Air Traffic Control team, and business contract partners to bring these state-of-the-art plans to life. It will be a complex project working with the various teams to ensure the day-to-day operation is disrupted as little as possible, whilst the much-needed refurbishment takes place.”