Terminal 5 (T5) at Heathrow Airport is one of Europe’s largest construction projects of the 21st Century. When T5 opens in 2008, its design and construction will set new standards in environmental performance.
Balancing environmental and commercial awareness
WSP was commissioned to work jointly for British Airways (BA) and airport owner BAA to assist in managing the environmental aspects of the project.
WSP developed and managed the environmental management system (EMS) for the design work and the construction phase of the project, working in alignment with BA’s and BAA’s own EMS requirements.
As part of this, WSP helped to establish an environmental design review process. We set up design expert groups comprising project specialists and external advisors to verify the work of the design teams and sign off the design at each critical stage. This enabled the overall design to be progressed in alignment with the public inquiry commitments and ensured technical and commercial optimisation of design solutions.
Contribution to overall project success
A key objective was for the handling of all environmental issues to make a positive contribution to the overall success of the project. For example:
- WSP supervised a revised environmental impact assessment (EIA) planning application for the diversion of the ‘twin rivers’ which run across the site. This work was undertaken to a very tight schedule to allow the construction phase to commence on time.
- Significant water saving measures were achieved within the design. 70% of water demand in the buildings will be from non potable sources.
Maintaining relationships
As a result of this very successful work, WSP has continued its involvement throughout the duration of the project and WSP staff are currently seconded to the environmental and strategic planning teams of both BA and BAA.
Project information
Client: BAA and British Airways
Size: Largest construction project in Europe; Busiest airport in the world; T5 capacity approximately 35 million passengers per year
Value: £1.5 M (environmental services); £4 200 M (total construction)
Status: commercial operations commence mid 2007