As part of our commitment to maintaining world-class infrastructure, London Biggin Hill Airport will be resurfacing its runway and adding new centreline lighting during the spring/summer of 2025. The resurfacing is necessary due to the standard wear and tear experienced over its years of use.
Runway resurfacing is a critical aspect of aviation infrastructure maintenance, ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. Over time, runways are subjected to constant wear from aircraft, weather conditions, and daily operations.
This resurfacing project will enhance the durability and performance of our runway, ensuring it continues to meet the highest standards for years to come and enhancing the experience for pilots using London Biggin Hill Airport.
We will continue to update this page with more information and updates as the works progress.
November 2024 - February 2025 Batching plant installation and material testing
March 2025 - Runway resurfacing commences
August 2025 - Expected completion
Why resurfacing is important?
- Enhanced Safety: Maintaining the integrity of the runway surface ensures optimal conditions for take-offs and landings.
- Improved Efficiency: A well-maintained runway and lighting is crucial for safety and optimized performance.
- Long-term Sustainability: Resurfacing prolongs the life of the runway, avoiding the need for more significant repairs or reconstruction in the near future.
When will the works take place?
At this stage, exact dates are to be confirmed but we expect to begin works in March 2025 and aim to be finished by August 2025. The resurfacing works will take place outside of airport operating hours, overnight Monday to Friday.
In preparation for the works, a temporary batching plant will be erected at the airport to create the runway material. Work to install the plant will begin in November and is expected to be completed in December.
During the winter, the batching plant and materials will be tested to ensure they are ready for the resurfacing works in 2025.
The batching plant
The temporary batching plant will be located on the east side of the airport, near the Bombardier Service Centre, as shown on the map. It is unlikely that it will be visible from outside the boundary of the airport estate.
Once built, the plant will reduce the need for heavy goods vehicles to travel to and from the airport, and any disruption this might cause, as the resurfacing material can be made on-site.
FAQs
Why are you resurfacing the runway?
The runway needs to be resurfaced to combat the effects of standard wear and tear.
Is the current runway surface safe?
Yes, this is proactive work to ensure the runway remains fit for purpose.
Are you extending the runway?
No. We are simply removing the top layer of the runway and laying a new surface on top.
Will this change the size of aircraft that can land on the runway?
No. This is a like for like resurfacing of the runway.
Are you making any other changes to the runway?
We are installing centreline lighting to increase the visual cues and situational awareness to pilots.
We are replacing the existing halogen edge lights with LED lights, which are more sustainable.
In addition to this, we are improving the existing electrical manholes for better maintenance working conditions.
How long will the works take?
We intend to begin the resurfacing works in March 2025 and aim to be finished by August 2025.
Why are you working at night?
It is not safe or operationally viable to carry out the work during airport operating hours.
What time during the night will you be working?
Exact timings may alter to fit daily circumstances, but we anticipate that the batching plant will be active between 20:00 and 03:00, with active work on the runway between 23:00 and 05:00.
Vehicles may continue to be active until 06:00 each morning, allowing for the site to be cleared, swept and inspected before the airport opens each morning.
Will the work be every night?
The work is planned for Monday to Friday nights.
How much noise will the works make?
We will make every effort to ensure that noise is kept to a minimum and that the work is completed as soon as possible. The noise will vary each night depending on the nature of the activities and where along the runway they are being carried out.
What are you doing with the old runway surface?
We are currently exploring the possibilities of recycling this material where possible.
Will the works generate dust in the local area?
We do not expect dust to spread beyond the location of the works. To help with this, we are taking a number of proactive measures, including procuring a new batching plant with dust screens, filters and collectors; and for the works to have dust suppression where required.
What actions have you taken to minimise the environmental impact of the runway resurfacing?
Some examples of where the project has minimised environmental impact include:
- Using recycled material where appropriate
- Replacing our existing runway edge halogen lights with LED lights to reduce energy consumption
- Minimising the amount of asphalt, which ensures a reduction of embodied carbon
- Our temporary on-site batching plant will reduce lorry travel distances, noise and emissions
What benefit does this have for residents?
The resurfaced runway will allow the airport to continue creating jobs and attracting investment to the area. The airport remains committed to its ethos that when the airport succeeds, so should local people.
Will I be able to see the batching plant from outside the airport?
Due to the positioning of the batching plant, it is unlikely that you will be able to see it from beyond the airport boundary.
How much extra traffic will this create on the roads?
Whilst some additional traffic may be generated by the works, having a batching plant on-site will reduce the traffic coming to and from the airport by road.
Will this affect where aircraft fly?
No, the runway resurfacing work will have no effect on the routing of aircraft.
Is the airport using local companies to do the work?
From all the experienced runway resurfacing contractors, we have selected the most local – just 13 miles from Biggin Hill.