Client: Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Architect: Leach Rhodes Walker
Contractor: Irwins
Type of works: design, manufacture and installation of a new airport walkway.

Abacus Lighting has designed, manufactured and installed a new walkway which will protect passengers from the elements whilst moving between the terminal and the aircraft.

Having already provided walkways at airports, transport terminals and commercial locations around the UK, Abacus’s experience and expertise meant that it was able to provide a solution that was bespoke and tailor-made to meet the airport’s needs.

The 300m long walkway has been designed with adjustable, flange-plated legs, meaning that it can cope with undulations in any uneven ground surfaces and can also be moved and relocated at any time to meet John Lennon Airport’s expansion plans.

Some sections of the walkway expand from 2m to 4m wide to allow for a greater capacity of passengers to use it and parts of the roof have greater distances between the legs to allow for the passage of airport ground traffic through the structure as and when required.

The walkway is joined to the terminal building at major airside exits by matching entrance canopies which also incorporate the bespoke leg solutions of the main structure. A low vault barrel roof, frosted glazing to one side, clear glazing to the other and a powder coat white finish work together to provide passengers with an attractive, robust and safe passage to their destination.

Abacus’s Chris Anderson commented: “Winning the contract to supply and install the bespoke walkway from design stage through to completion was a significant accomplishment for Abacus. Successfully installing a walkway which spans the full length of a live terminal building required all of our years of experience. We’re very proud to have provided a solution which exactly meets the client’s needs.”

Installing the walkway had its own challenges. Abacus had to work very closely with the main contractor, Irwins, and architects, Leach Rhodes Walker, to schedule the daily installation as aircraft stand closures needed to be booked a day in advance. Daily transfer of all materials required at the erection site also had to be coordinated so as not to interfere with constant aircraft and passenger movement. The workforce also had to overcome major security restrictions for working airside including personnel and vehicle searches and escorted working and vehicle movement.

Abacus has also drawn on their expertise to design and install a walkway at the York College development. A fully bespoke solution was supplied to adapt to site conditions and meet an onerous timescale.