Glasgow Airport introduces new £2 million parking plan

BAA to introduce free drop off AND pick up for all passengers.

Glasgow Airport is to create a free, covered pick-up and drop-off zone opposite the main terminal, as part of an ongoing £2 million plan to improve passenger access following last year’s failed attack.

The new zone has been created in the ground floor of the multi-storey car park, directly opposite the terminal. Motorists will be able to drop off and pick up passengers just metres from the front of the terminal, with a free stay for up to 10 minutes.

Passengers intending to stay for longer than 10 minutes must use the designated parking bays in car parks 1,2 or 3.

A number of bays in the drop off/pick-up zone have also been designated for use by passengers with reduced mobility, and special help points will be available for anyone requiring assistance.

The new drop off/pick up zone will open to motorists at 0430 on Thursday 20 March.

It has been built at a cost of £150,000 and complements the existing drop off zone on St Andrew’s Drive which has recently been refurbished at a cost of £500,000. Motorists can still use St Andrew’s Drive as a drop off point at peak times, if they wish, at no cost.

Following the attack on the airport, St Andrew’s Drive became the designated drop off zone for private vehicles, with car parks 1 and 3 designated for passenger pick up. Meanwhile, public transport buses and licensed taxis were relocated from the inner forecourt to the outer forecourt, where they continue to operate today.

Gordon Dewar, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “The drop off zone on St Andrew’s Drive has served us well since the attack, and we have invested heavily to improve passenger facilities along this route. However, we fully understand that passengers want to pick up and drop off as close to the terminal as security constraints allow.

“Obviously, following the events of 30 June, we are not in a position to allow private vehicles on to the forecourt, because of security concerns and capacity constraints. However, we have listened carefully to feedback from our passengers over the last few weeks and months, and we have taken their views on board during our re-design of our vehicle access arrangements.

“As a result, we have created a new covered drop off and pick up zone in the main car park, directly opposite the terminal, which will be available to use free of charge for up to 10 minutes.

“We believe this solution addresses the concerns of passengers, while safeguarding the security of all passengers.”Work to re-design the airport forecourt, and install new security measures, is currently underway. A £1.5 million investment by airport operator BAA will see the entire forecourt resurfaced, with separate lanes created for buses and taxis, and wider pavements for passengers.

Bollards will be installed across the length of the terminal to prevent vehicular access to the inner forecourt. Repairs to the front of the terminal building, and interior areas damaged by smoke and water, are also underway.

“The security of our passengers is our number one priority, and we will spend whatever it takes to ensure their safety. Our new plans for the forecourt will deliver improved customer service, and increased security,” said Mr Dewar.

He added: “We are grateful to our passengers for the patience they have shown over the past few months. The airport is undergoing a major transformation at the moment, with major structural repairs being carried out at the same time as a massive £30 million terminal extension. We would ask that passengers bear with us while we carry out these necessary improvements.

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Notes to editors:
Motorists will be permitted to access the new drop-off/pick-up zone for up to 10 minutes, free of charge. In order to maintain a steady flow of traffic, car parking in this zone will not be permitted. A stay of more than 10 minutes will incur a premium charge. This charge is designed to dissuade motorists from using the pick-up / drop-off zone as a parking bay. Anyone intending to stay more than 10 minutes must use short stay car parks 1, 2 or 3.

If there are no spaces available in the drop-off / pick-up zone, you must completely exit car park 2, otherwise you could be subject to a premium tariff. Do not park and wait for a space to arise. Providing you leave the area within 10 minutes, you will not be charged. You can then re-enter the drop-off/pick-up zone at a later time. You can also continue to use St Andrew’s Drive as a drop off zone, if you wish.

Four bays have been designated for use by passengers with reduced mobility. There are a further ten bays in the ground floor level of car park two, located adjacent to the new drop-off/pick-up zone. Blue badge holders are entitled to 30 minutes free access in these bays. A stay of more than 30 minutes will incur standard parking charges. This arrangement applies only to Blue badge holders.