New parking restrictions begin at Birmingham International Airport from tomorrow with people no longer able to drop-off passengers in front of terminal buildings following the terrorist attacks in Glasgow and London.
The airport says it is introducing parking changes to cope with the new security measures.
A new ‘rapid drop-off’ area will be situated close to Terminals One and Two and will cost £1 for 20 minutes.
Stays over that time will be charged £3 for every subsequent 15 minutes.
Elsewhere, drop-off facilities in the long-stay car parks will provide up to 30 minutes of free parking, with buses to the terminals.
All short-stay parking and pick-up facilities will be located in the airport’s multi-storey car parks, costing £1 for the first 30 minutes.
The existing short-stay, near the Novotel, will be closed.
John Morris, head of corporate affairs at the airport, said: “Since the attempted terrorist attacks in Glasgow and London, our set-down roads have remained closed at the front of the terminals.
“During this time the existing short-stay car park has been used as a temporary measure for dropping off passengers, which has been free for 10 minutes.
“Although Birmingham has not suffered any severe traffic congestion, more permanent facilities have to be introduced prior to the peak summer period to speed up the flows of traffic.”
Disabled drivers and passengers will be entitled to a 30 minute complimentary parking facility in the Rapid Drop-Off area.
To obtain the free parking, drivers should go to the NCP customer service desk in Terminal One before leaving the airport and show their Blue Badge to get their car park ticket validated.
New signs have been put in place around the airport.
Passengers can visit www.bhx.co.uk for details.
16 Comments
Typical.. ie The charges…imagine the headlines…
” Muslim fanatics force passengers to pay £1.00 to park.” a
Any excuse to charge the passengers.
Attention all terrorists: remember to take some loose change with you.
What a joke. What genius assumed that your average suicide bomber won’t want to pay a quid to get close to the terminal?
These blasted terrorists are getting their own way: There are no longer any suitcase storage facilities at any of the London stations for security reasons so once you’ve checked out of your hotel you have to keep your suitcase with you. This isn’t feasible if you’re visiting a museum or somewhere such as the Royal Albert Hall meaning the ticket you’ve paid a lot of money for is worthless.
Yes, I think even the most generous and uncynical human spirit would have to admit that this is a MONEY-MAKING WHEEZE! It’s just a shame that passengers can’t similarly charge the airport for all the harmless bottles of pop and water they’re confiscate.
And what about disabled people? Are provisions being made for them?
Adam, there is still an Excess Baggage facility at EUSTON. they X-ray your bags before accepting them though!!
Making money from a threat that was miles away. Terrorists are winning, making life difficult for those of us who are innocent. Well done BHX you really make people want to fly from there.
Well we are really caught between the success of the terrorists and the puerile mentality of airport operators.
This is a stupid idea, if someone wants to cause destruction inside or outside the airport they will, by charging to just drop someone at the airport will not stop these terrible people.
The local TV news interviewed a representative of the airport, who appeared to state that the reason for this change was logistics: too many people, too little space. Strange..wasn’t the terror threat the primary reason? Excuses, excuses..pathetic.
long-stay car parks will provide up to 30 minutes of free parking..which means you have to get to the main gate, say goodbye, race back in order NOT to be ripped off by this airport. City of culture? A monkey would do a better job..Birmingham, you are a disgrace.
Guess we will have to avoid flying from Birmingham now. Why don’t they just stop flying?
Thanks davenport. I did ring the left luggage facility at Euston station on Tuedsay morning and they told me none of the London stations had any facilities to store luggage. If they do have such facilities I’m a tad peeved I was advised to the contrary as it means my ticket to the Royal Albert Hall was wasted!
It’s also ironic that Birmingham chooses to rectify it’s car parking facilities as a security measure, instead of it’s own staff..
Why do black cabs get special privileges to use the one service road?
Private hire drivers are penalized. We have the same security clearance CRB’s as black cab’s but are forced to use the carparks! We are treated as second class people, charged for every drop off and pickup. We don’t hang around when dropping off/picking up, time is money. If we have a disabled customer, they have “WALK” at least 200m each way, if not futher! No special drop off or pick up nearer to the airport doors. (This may be illigal).
The private hire trade, transport far more people to and from the airport then black cab’s, yet get pushed about and kicked in the pocket everytime. If a flight is late, do our customers pay excess parking. NO we do.
Come on BHX and NCP treat ALL Taxi and Private Hire Drivers with the same standard of care and privilages. We provide a great service, it’s about time your reconised that.
Why have we got to park miles from airport to drop of friends and family .I know it`s because of terrorist attacks .But isn`t everyone still in one place stuck on a bus with loads of targets in one area or is it to stop the airport getting damaged.If anythink they should still have drop-off point but everyone should go inside when there not hang outside.and then fit more bollards with stronger glass.but yes that would cost money.but their way makes money.VERY CLEVER