Isles of Scilly Airport: responding to your feedback

We've received lots of feedback on the Isles of Scilly Airport improvement project. In particular, the response from the Airport Community Open Day in February has been particularly valuable. Much of the feedback has been positive, with people recognising that the changes to the airport and runways have improved the visitor experience and will sustain the vital air link to the mainland for employment, healthcare and education for years to come.

However, we have also heard feedback about how we can further improve the airport facilities. The key areas raised include the height of the stone wall outside the cafe area, the width of the pedestrian piers between the bus parking spaces and the provision of drop-off and pick-up areas for cars near the terminal building.

We are already working to address feedback raised about the pedestrian piers. The raised kerbs between the bus parking spaces are required to ensure compliance with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) legislation. The intention is to make it easier for people with limited mobility to get on and off buses. Based on feedback indicating that the piers are too narrow, they will be widened to allow more room for pedestrians to move around when getting on and off the buses. Lagan Construction have arranged for a team to make alterations. The existing stands will be widened significantly and railings will be added. The hatched areas in the revised plan (click to access PDF of plan) represent the additional area that will be added to the existing piers; the black lines show where the new hand rails will be placed. The materials for this project are scheduled to arrive on Saturday 18 April, though this delivery time cannot be guaranteed. The work should be completed within the next month.

We are also responding to suggestions that there is insufficient provision for car drop-off/pick-up by allocating two parking spaces near the terminal building. The revised plan shows where the new bays will be placed along with a painted mini-roundabout to control traffic flow. The plan also illustrates the results of a tracking study, which was conducted to ensure that traffic can move efficiently through the area. This work has already been commissioned and will commence in the coming weeks.

The height of the stone wall outside the cafe area of the terminal building is dictated by building control legislation and is based on the drop-off height of the slope leading away from the wall. The intention of the wall is to prevent falls, reduce draughts and provide a safe enclosed area for people (particularly young children) to sit outside separated from the traffic. It was designed to meet needs raised in the consultation. We understand that some people are unhappy that the wall makes it harder to view the islands' landscape when sitting in the cafe area. There is clearly some conflict in the competing needs raised by airport users and whilst there are currently no plans to make changes to the wall, we will keep this issue under review.

The other areas raised in your feedback are each addressed in turn below. We are always looking for ways that we can improve our facilities to benefit residents, visitors, staff and businesses and we encourage you to contact us if you have anything further to add. If you have additional feedback or any questions about the coming work to address existing issues, please don't hesitate to contact us at enquiries@scilly.gov.uk or call us on 01720 424000 and ask for the Strategic Development team.

 

Luggage conveyors
Central Conveyors are reviewing the layout of the conveyors to ensure they can deal with the majority of luggage objects; they will also be dealing with basic operational issues. The conveyor belts are a standard height and the same as those at Land's End airport.

Consultation of airport staff
The airport management team were involved in every design meeting. The working areas and staff facilities are now larger than the old facilities

Security around the cafe
There are security gates going into the cafe, but when the airport is closed it is locked and the cafe is secure. 

Pre-flight briefing area
Glass barriers are being erected to reduce noise and distractions during pre-flight safety briefings.

Walking from the terminal to aircraft
As with Land's End Airport, the Isles of Scilly Airport has 6 stands for aircraft. The distance that passengers must walk depends on where the plane parks on the stands. This situation is the same at Newquay Airport and Land's End Airport. The terminal is designed so that we have the flexibility to implement stricter security procedures when necessary.

Airport size
The airport is designed for a maximum capacity of between 120,000 and 140,000 passengers and reflects previous airport passenger numbers.

Landscaping
The oil tank and the building for the emergency generator and boiler will be screened.

Seating
The seating in the main area is designed for airports. Some of the more comfortable seating options including sofas are still to arrive. The seating arrangements are designed to sit a maximum number. The majority of passengers are at the airport for one hour so the current furniture provision was deemed appropriate and reflects normal airport practice. We have been offered art by Tresco estates for the terminal as well as local artists’ work and advertising led by the Islands’ Partnership.

WiFi
The airport management team will consider whether the introduction of free WiFi is cost effective.

Suitability of contractors
Lagan Construction are specialist airport contractors and have worked on airport projects at Heathrow, Bristol, Guernsey and Cambridge.

Parking charges
The suggestion that we charge people to park at the airport will be taken to the relevant committee for consideration.

Priority of buses over cars near the terminal building
The vast majority of passengers arrive at and depart from the airport on buses, which is why the buses have been given priority over car drop-off; they also pay for this access.

Sign indicating path to Old Town
It has been suggested that we should erect a sign to highlight the footpath from the airport to Old Town. We are in the process of dealing with this request.

Heating and draughts
Issues concerning heating and draughts are being dealt with by the contractors as part of the snagging list.

Suitability of the airport design
The design team specialise in airports and have designed airports all over the world. Whilst we understand that it will not be to everyone’s taste, we consider it to be a functional and well-built modern space that will be suitable for the islands’ needs for years to come.

Planning consent
The airport project was not taken to planning committee because airports have permitted development rights.

Stone and grit debris
Lagan Construction are stone-picking to ensure that aircraft can operate safely with as little loose debris remaining as possible.

Ambulance access
The ambulance has access to the terminal from airside through the barrier which allows them to access the first aid room by the kitchen in complete privacy away from other passengers and wait for either the stretcher plane or air ambulance. This is also available when the airport is shut so patients do not have to wait in the ambulance. There is also a specially designated stand for the air ambulance to cut down the distance from the ambulance to the helicopter or plane.