Luton transit on its way

The official start of works on the state-of-the-art £225m Luton Dart (Direct Air-Rail Transit), linking Luton Airport with the Parkway rail station, took place last week with a ground-breaking ceremony.

Officials say the system will complete the 2.1km journey in less than 4min, enabling fast access from central London to the departure terminal of the UK’s fifth biggest and fastest-growing major airport in 30min by the fastest train.

Luton Council’s airport company London Luton Airport Ltd (LLAL) awarded contracts in December for the civil works to a VolkerFitzpatrick-Kier joint venture and for the transportation system to Doppelmayr Cable Car UK.

The project has planning permission from Luton and Central Bedfordshire councils, and is on track to open by spring 2021. It will create 500 construction jobs over three years, 30 apprenticeships, and 17 permanent positions.

The Dart is a double-shuttle automated people-mover based on latest technology and design and can operate 24hr a day, seven days a week. The cable-driven system is energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

LLAL chairman Andy Malcolm said: “Luton Airport has come a long way from the grass airstrip that opened 80 years ago. It is experiencing unparalleled success, with a 50% increase in passenger numbers since 2014.”

www.london-luton.co.uk  www.llal.org.uk

www.volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk/en/news   www.dcc.at

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