DESIGNS for a new £50 million air traffic control tower at Heathrow that would provide a new landmark on the west London skyline, were unveiled by BAA this week.

The striking new 87 metre tall structure - more than double the height of the existing control tower - will provide Heathrow's air traffic controllers with the best view of any control tower in the world with which to manage operations with Terminal 5.

It is designed by Richard Rogers Partnership and the control room at the top of the structure will use the latest technology Mike Davies of the Richard Rogers Partnership, architects for the tower, said: "The new control tower will provide a state-of-the-art platform for Air Traffic Control at Heathrow. This exciting, technically challenging and unique visual landmark, along with the new Terminal 5 development currently under construction, underlines BAA's commitment to Heathrow's world hub status in the 21st Century. The tower's slender steel mast supports a five-storey high visual control room complex that has the largest cone of vision of any control tower in the world."

The unique structure is a product of the demanding technical and operational requirements associated with such a facility. It will comprise a full height glazed visual control room supported by a 4.6 metre wide steel mast and three pairs of cable-stays anchored to the ground. The steel mast provides access to the multi-storey visual control room complex via two lifts (one internal, one external) plus an enclosed staircase. The base of the mast is encircled by a three-storey building required for associated technical and administrative functions. The structure will be located close to the western edge of the existing central terminal area with pedestrian access for operators via Terminal 3.

A key point of interest with the project is its planned method of construction which aims to minimise impact on adjacent airfield operations.

Initially the top 30m portion of the structure (including the visual control room) will be prefabricated on a remote site just inside the boundary of the airport. Once completed this section will be transported, during the night, in one piece across the airfield to its permanent location.

At 862 tonnes, this will be one of the heaviest transportation operations ever undertaken at a UK airport.

Subsequently, the visual control room portion will be progressively jacked-up from its base to enable the mast sections, in 12 metre lengths, to be installed and for the structure to reach its finished height of 87 metres. This procedure is due to be completed by autumn 2004. Subsequent construction and testing will take place before the facility opens in Summer 2006.

Heathrow managing director, Mick Temple, said: "We're investing huge amounts in developing better facilities across the airport and the new control tower will be a landmark feature. It will become an icon for a modernised Heathrow, better equipped to serve its airlines and passengers in the 21st Century. "