LHR T5 update mid May 2023 - Transit / TTS update
May 20, 2023, 12:12 am
#31
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May 20, 2023, 12:34 am
#32
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Any suggestion as to when the escalators may be fixed and running again?
Everything seems to be "waiting for parts" in life at the moment.
Everything seems to be "waiting for parts" in life at the moment.
May 20, 2023, 12:35 am
#33
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They appear to have had a few escalator problems in the recent past.
Only a few months ago the one leading up to the south lounges was out for a week or so and there were queues for the lifts. Around the same time, the one from the domestic connection up to departures was out as well. The lift there is not that big as I recall.
I wonder if there is some sort of systemic problem………..
Only a few months ago the one leading up to the south lounges was out for a week or so and there were queues for the lifts. Around the same time, the one from the domestic connection up to departures was out as well. The lift there is not that big as I recall.
I wonder if there is some sort of systemic problem………..
May 22, 2023, 6:52 am
#35
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Passing through today at 130, the right hand lift didn’t appear to be in use, we got sent to a service elevator by the customs office that took us straight to the walkway level with no obvious way back up to the transit (which is fine by me, but they did have a buggy waiting in case anyone needed a lift)
Last edited by paul71; May 22, 2023 at 7:09 am
May 23, 2023, 10:27 am
#36
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As we head to another Bank Holiday weekend, the situation remains that the 2 escalators are out of action.
There remains a 3 phase approach to congestion - from about 16:30 hrs there are relatively few flights from T5B, with the last JFK / BOS at 20:00 hrs. The three lifts can cope with this workload, and probably first thing in the morning too.
If queues back up to the main walkway area then the next plan is to use the lifts by HMRC as a backup, this is relatively nearby, HAL staff can point to point passengers to a staff member controlling the HMRC queue, and works best of those happy to walk to T5B.
There after and during the main T5B and T5C periiods the buses continue to run from gate 10E, which particularly for T5C may be a reasonably good alternative. They have a sign up for this.
However I can see the escalator with the planned engineering work is now fully refitted and rolling, for the first time, and I saw a lot of HAL Engineering people there today with forms and folders being filled in, so maybe that one is close to being back into service. I'd guess HAL is pretty keen to get that to happen on or before Friday, but that's just a hunch on my side.
There remains a 3 phase approach to congestion - from about 16:30 hrs there are relatively few flights from T5B, with the last JFK / BOS at 20:00 hrs. The three lifts can cope with this workload, and probably first thing in the morning too.
If queues back up to the main walkway area then the next plan is to use the lifts by HMRC as a backup, this is relatively nearby, HAL staff can point to point passengers to a staff member controlling the HMRC queue, and works best of those happy to walk to T5B.
There after and during the main T5B and T5C periiods the buses continue to run from gate 10E, which particularly for T5C may be a reasonably good alternative. They have a sign up for this.
However I can see the escalator with the planned engineering work is now fully refitted and rolling, for the first time, and I saw a lot of HAL Engineering people there today with forms and folders being filled in, so maybe that one is close to being back into service. I'd guess HAL is pretty keen to get that to happen on or before Friday, but that's just a hunch on my side.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; May 23, 2023 at 10:39 am
May 23, 2023, 1:13 pm
#38
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This has all been a revelation to me. I like to think I know T5 like the back of my hand. But I have to admit I’ve never once taken the escalator down to the transit or the tunnel. Always assumed the lift was quicker. And I’ve never once not gotten into the first available lift. So I can only guess that under normal circumstances, most people are taking the escalators. Is this faster than the lift to the transit? No way is it faster to -4 than via lift.
Who would be getting off this lift on the main departures level? Only a departing passenger who went for a stroll down to the transit train/corridor or someone who was lost (and with the lines, nobody is voluntarily going down there!). And I guess maybe some employees (e.g., wheelchair pushers?) Arriving passengers get funneled through FCC which is separate I believe.
May 23, 2023, 3:49 pm
#39
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May 24, 2023, 11:15 am
#43
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May 25, 2023, 3:52 am
#44
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Update 25th 10.30. Right hand escalator now in service but only for pax without cabin bags as apparently it comes to a standstill if too much weight! Queues for lifts not bad (3-4 mins wait). Bummer as we left the CCR early but it took less than 10 min from CCR to T5B lounge.
May 25, 2023, 5:41 am
#45
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Update 25th 10.30. Right hand escalator now in service but only for pax without cabin bags as apparently it comes to a standstill if too much weight! Queues for lifts not bad (3-4 mins wait). Bummer as we left the CCR early but it took less than 10 min from CCR to T5B lounge.