New security measures cause traffic problems near airports
02.07.07
British air passengers struggled to reach airport terminals yesterday as tough vehicle restrictions came into effect, causing major traffic congestion around a number of airports. Passengers are advised that, even though check-in times have largely remained unaltered, passengers will need to build in extra time necessary to get from the airport perimeter to the terminal.
The Glasgow airport incident led to a ban on the picking up and dropping off of passengers by vehicles at airport forecourts nationwide. Under the new arrangements passengers were directed to outlying car parks and bussed in.
The tighter rules are likely to be in force for the foreseeable future, with airports adopting a park and ride policy or directing cars to short stay car parks. The changes led to long queues of traffic on the M23 near Gatwick airport and also congestion around Edinburgh Airport where the closure of the short-stay car park added to travellers' problems. There were also problems at Glasgow airport.
Airport operator BAA, whose seven UK airports include Glasgow, Heathrow and Gatwick said forecourts have been closed to traffic on orders of the police following advice from Cobra, the Government's crisis-response committee. BAA said it was not yet known if or when restrictions on the dropping off and picking up of passengers would be eased.
BAA corporate affairs director Duncan Bomfield said that BAA together with Edinburgh City Council was arranging for park and ride facilities to be laid on as private vehicles were being prevented from getting close to the airport. Coaches, buses and taxis were being allowed nearer to the airport.
Mr Bomfield said that passenger movements and flights were fine at Aberdeen, Stansted and Southampton airports. However, he urged passengers to leave their cars at home and take public transport if possible.
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