Lord Foster, chairman and founder of Foster + Partners, has launched
the proposals for the Thames Hub – an integrated vision for the UK.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/5r475vg
or:
http://www.halcrow.com/News/latest-n...es-Hub-vision/

Halcrow and world-leading architect Foster + Partners have been
collaborating on a self-funded study to produce a detailed vision for
the Thames Hub, comprising a new river barrier and crossing, and an
international airport, shipping and rail complex. The proposals
represent a holistic vision for infrastructure development in Britain.

The plans also include a ‘spine’ which combines energy, communications
and data running the length of the UK, fed by the Thames Hub.

Lord Foster, founder and chairman of Foster + Partners, said: “We need
to recapture the foresight and political courage of our 19th century
forebears if we are to establish a modern transport and energy
infrastructure in Britain for this century and beyond. If we don’t
then we are denying future generations to come. We are rolling over
and saying we are no longer competitive – and this is a competitive
world. So I do not believe we have a choice.”

Halcrow group board director, David Kerr, said: “As infrastructure
specialists, our role is to support society by taking on the big
issues that affect us all – water, transportation, energy, and
creating places to live and work. Great challenges require bold
solutions, which is why I believe our Thames Hub vision is critical to
society and to the country’s economic prosperity. If we don’t sustain
and invest in infrastructure, then it’s at our peril.

“If the UK is to remain globally competitive, these proposals need to
be seriously considered.” The main components of the Thames Hub a

a new barrier crossing that extends flood protection to London and the
Thames Gateway into next century. The barrier harnesses tidal power to
generate carbon-free energy

a four-track, high-speed passenger and freight orbital rail route
around London, which links the capital’s radial lines, a future
high-speed rail line to the Midlands and the North, the Thames Estuary
ports, High Speed 1 (Channel Tunnel to London), and European networks

an estuary airport, capable of handling 150 million passengers per
annum, thus enabling the UK to retain its global aviation hub status.
The airport is integrated within a logistics matrix that connects by
rail the Thames Estuary Ports and the ports of Liverpool, Southampton
and Felixstowe. Associated with the hub is a major renewable energy
source in the estuary

a new utilities and data spine in the Thames Barrier, orbital rail
line and high-speed networks, with applicability across the UK

a comprehensive environmental management strategy that minimises the
impact of development and provides opportunities to create significant
new wildlife habitats to more than offset losses elsewhere. The
project can also serve as the catalyst to reduce pressure on foreshore
habitats from rising sea levels and storm activity

The Halcrow and Foster+Partners Thames Hub vision is supported by
renowned economist Bridget Rosewell, chairman of Volterra Consulting
and founder member of The Thames Estuary Research and Development
Company (TESTRAD).

END QUOTE


Exciting stuff!

On Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:26:59 +0000
Bruce wrote:
Lord Foster, founder and chairman of Foster + Partners, said:

"Time are tough and our company needs as much exposure as it can get so to
that effect we've knocked up some cheap graphics and waffle about a vague hand
waving idea our intern came up with that will never see the light of day
because it would cost a fortune, but we don't care because we might get some
real contracts off the back of it".

Exciting stuff!

We obviously have differing definitions of the word "exciting".

B2003

On Nov 2, 4:38*pm, wrote:
On Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:26:59 +0000

Bruce wrote:
Lord Foster, founder and chairman of Foster + Partners, said:

"Time are tough and our company needs as much exposure as it can get so to
that effect we've knocked up some cheap graphics and waffle about a vague hand
waving idea our intern came up with that will never see the light of day
because it would cost a fortune, but we don't care because we might get some
real contracts off the back of it".

Exciting stuff!

We obviously have differing definitions of the word "exciting".


But there's something for everyone here! Apart from the airport,
there is a lot of new high speed railway including connections to HS1,
the proposed HS2 and the Great Western Main Line (and more). There is
a tidal stream power station. There is a new Thames Barrier, located
in a far better position than the existing one. There is the
opportunity to regenerate the depressed Medway Towns. Proper
consideration has been given to protecting existing habitats.

What's not to like? :-)

There is a much more comprehensive explanation of the proposals in the
following .pdf document:
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/J..._team_copy.pdf

On Nov 3, 12:26*am, Bruce wrote:
On Nov 2, 4:38*pm, wrote:

On Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:26:59 +0000

Bruce wrote:
Lord Foster, founder and chairman of Foster + Partners, said:

"Time are tough and our company needs as much exposure as it can get so to
that effect we've knocked up some cheap graphics and waffle about a vague hand
waving idea our intern came up with that will never see the light of day
because it would cost a fortune, but we don't care because we might get some
real contracts off the back of it".

Exciting stuff!

We obviously have differing definitions of the word "exciting".

But there's something for everyone here! *Apart from the airport,
there is a lot of new high speed railway including connections to HS1,
the proposed HS2 and the Great Western Main Line (and more). *There is
a tidal stream power station. *There is a new Thames Barrier, located
in a far better position than the existing one. *There is the
opportunity to regenerate the depressed Medway Towns. *Proper
consideration has been given to protecting existing habitats.

What's not to like? *:-)



The airport.

On 03/11/2011 08:05, Jon Porter wrote:
On Nov 3, 12:26 am, wrote:
On Nov 2, 4:38 pm, wrote:

On Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:26:59 +0000

wrote:
Lord Foster, founder and chairman of Foster + Partners, said:

"Time are tough and our company needs as much exposure as it can get so to
that effect we've knocked up some cheap graphics and waffle about a vague hand
waving idea our intern came up with that will never see the light of day
because it would cost a fortune, but we don't care because we might get some
real contracts off the back of it".

Exciting stuff!

We obviously have differing definitions of the word "exciting".

But there's something for everyone here! Apart from the airport,
there is a lot of new high speed railway including connections to HS1,
the proposed HS2 and the Great Western Main Line (and more). There is
a tidal stream power station. There is a new Thames Barrier, located
in a far better position than the existing one. There is the
opportunity to regenerate the depressed Medway Towns. Proper
consideration has been given to protecting existing habitats.

What's not to like? :-)



The airport.

I read through the glossy brochure, which admittedly doesn't give a lot
of detail, and as far as I can make out the airport is going to be
practically on top of the SS Richard Montgomery! Also there is no
mention of the bird problem in the Thames Estuary. Hong Kong's airport
is not right in the middle of a major wildfowl migration route. Also I
can't see how you are going to get two pairs of runways to operate the
way they are depicted. There doesn't seem to be adequate clearance
between the individual runways in each pair for safe simultaneous operation.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read, substitute trains for rail.
Railway Miscellany at www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail

In article ,
Bruce wrote:
What's not to like? :-)

The fact that it's east of London. Given that the prevailing winds
are east/west, it seems silly to put an airport to the east (or
west) of London, rather than North or South - it means that the
noise will impact more people.

--
Mike Bristow

On Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:14:38 +0000
Graeme Wall wrote:
I read through the glossy brochure, which admittedly doesn't give a lot
of detail, and as far as I can make out the airport is going to be
practically on top of the SS Richard Montgomery! Also there is no
mention of the bird problem in the Thames Estuary. Hong Kong's airport

And not forgetting europes largest natural gas storage depot which is on
Grain.

is not right in the middle of a major wildfowl migration route. Also I
can't see how you are going to get two pairs of runways to operate the
way they are depicted. There doesn't seem to be adequate clearance
between the individual runways in each pair for safe simultaneous operation.

Its a pie in the sky idea and will never happen. But if a new airport is
really needed - and I'm not convinced - then surely Manston or southend would
be the logical solution?

B2003

On Wed, 2 Nov 2011 17:26:38 -0700 (PDT)
Bruce wrote:
opportunity to regenerate the depressed Medway Towns. Proper
consideration has been given to protecting existing habitats.

That'll be a bit tricky given that they'll be dumping a couple of million
tons of concrete on top of them and they'll have to get rid of all the
birds unless they want a load of airliners coming down in the estuary due
to bird strikes.

What's not to like? :-)

Everything.

B2003

On Nov 3, 9:05*am, Jon Porter wrote:

The airport.

I think closing LHR and LGW (both overcrowded rat-holes) and replacing
them with a "super-Schiphol" would be a wonderful idea, personally.
The value of the land under LHR would pay for a good chunk of it, as
well.

Neil

On Thu, 3 Nov 2011 03:40:51 -0700 (PDT)
Neil Williams wrote:
On Nov 3, 9:05=A0am, Jon Porter wrote:

The airport.

I think closing LHR and LGW (both overcrowded rat-holes) and replacing
them with a "super-Schiphol" would be a wonderful idea, personally.
The value of the land under LHR would pay for a good chunk of it, as
well.

Currently if heathrow or gatwick is fogbound or has some other problem then
aircraft can land at the other. A single airport is a single point of
failure.

B2003