Airport parking changes from next week
01.07.10
Work on a new layout outside the Cardiff Airport terminal has been completed and, from next Monday (July 5) new Priority drop & go and Priority pick up areas will come into operation, with a fee of £1 charged. The airport has also made changes to its long stay car parks, to further add to the confusion just as the summer peak starts !
The changes mean visitors to the airport can either use the new Priority drop & go and Priority pick up areas outside the terminal building, or a free drop off & pick up area in the Long Stay 1 car park, a 'short distance' from the terminal building. New signs have been erected on all approach roads directing visitors to the new parking facilities and providing information on the new drop off and pick up options - which is unlikely to speed traffic flow during the peak summer period !
The Free drop off & pick up area will be available in the renamed Long Stay 1, formerly the Long Stay 2 car park, and a free special assistance vehicle for passengers with restricted mobility will also be available. The first 20 minutes will be free with the usual parking rates applied thereafter.
Access to the Priority drop & go area in front of the terminal building will be available for up to 10 minutes, at a charge of £1 (20 minutes for disabled blue badge holders). The Priority drop & go area is barrier controlled where those wishing to use the facility will simply slot a £1 coin into the barrier on exiting the area in front of the terminal building (assuming they did not overstay).
For the Priority pick up area paying the £1 fee will entitle those picking up passengers 20 minutes in the short stay car park, located close to the terminal. After 20 minutes parking will be charged at the standard tariff.
As part of the redesign the existing long stay car parks have been renamed and colour coded, with new signage installed. Long stay 1 (yellow) was previously Long stay 2; and Long stay 2 (green) was previously Long stay 1. Please do not ask us why they would do this just as the summer peak is about to start, as we do not know either ! But the project was complete on time and was planned, so we assume they know what they are doing....
The airport has justified the drop off and pick up charges by stating: 'Other UK airports such as Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Luton all operate similar procedures and charges for drop off and pick up of passengers,' but they can still expect a press and passenger backlash for the move.
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