Car park changes mean people have to pay £2 to drop off a friend or relative

7:20am Thursday 26th May 2011 in Bradford By Hannah Baker

Leeds-Bradford Airport Leeds-Bradford Airport

Passengers have voiced their anger at new car parking arrangements at Leeds-Bradford International Airport.

The airport has introduced free parking for up to an hour in two of its long stay areas but people using the pick-up and drop-off point at the car park in front of the terminal must pay £2 to park for up to 30 minutes.

Previously, drivers could park at the terminal for free for up to ten minutes or pay £4 for 30 minutes.

The car park now uses a number plate recognition system, with customers asked to pay as they leave.

The changes have angered some customers from Bradford, who resented paying £2 to use the drop-off or pick-up point.

Harold Mason, 67, of Little Horton, who was picked up by his daughter after returning from a holiday in Lanzarote on Monday, said: “I’m appalled by it.

“Yes you should pay if you are waiting 20 minutes but just to come in, drive through, pick up and go, you shouldn’t have to pay.

“You used to go to the ticket machine, get a ticket and if you went in and out in ten minutes you were OK.”

Ian Smith, LBA’s business development manager, said: “Following helpful feedback from our customers we are introducing a one-hour free parking period in long stay 1 and 2 car parks and restructuring the current offer for the Terminal Front pick-up and drop-off car park as we continue to make improvements to the airport’s facilities.”

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Comments(15)

allannicho says...
7:31am Thu 26 May 11

Got caught with this tax on Monday,
my Son drove staight in picked me up instantly and was stopped at a barrier and £2 had to be paid to an attendent.
Just another case of Rip-Off UK.
one would think the vast profits being made by these airports would be
enough? Oh no!

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wobbley-bob says...
8:39am Thu 26 May 11

I hear from a taxi driver mate that people are being dropped of & picked up on the access Rd, just where the right turn to the short stay car park is, to avoid the charge. it's causing minor jams as cars reverse round the corner to go back out the way they came.
Good on them I say. It's only a short walk to the terminal, not much farther than being dropped at the proper place.

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NOTSOCOMMENSENSE says...
8:55am Thu 26 May 11

Robbers

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mad matt says...
3:53pm Thu 26 May 11

Hmmmm - how to make friends and influence people - NOT!

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Minnie99 says...
4:01pm Thu 26 May 11

The free parking at the long term car park is only a three minute walk away or you can wait for the shuttle bus and not walk at all!! I tried it and it was a dream. Manchester Airport has been charging for years and it’s more expensive. Anyone trying to avoid payment should be fined - heavily, they are just inconsiderate to other people – go use the long term carpark!

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Big Walts says...
4:35pm Thu 26 May 11

I have to say that I agree with Minnie on this one! If people are that annoyed with paying £2 then surely just use the long stay car parks and the shuttle bus. I have before and it is about a 5 minute journey in total. Also with airport charges on the increase, if doing this means the airport can maek improvements such as adjustments to the new terminal then Im all for it!

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Thomas Atcheson says...
4:45pm Thu 26 May 11

Surely this is just a tax on the elderly, disabled, those with young children etc.

As such this effective toll road must be illegal by preventing access to those unable to walk long distances.

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Hecky Thump!! says...
5:32pm Thu 26 May 11

What an insult!! Who's retirement fund are we contributing with this one?? This on top of having us pay to use a trolley, the bright spark is going to be rolling in it!!

As for the shuttle, is this 'cattle wagon' service going to be still running in the wee small hours when your flight has been delayed and the baggage handlers have had you waiting around in the carousel hall watching the same battered un-claimed luggage belonging to nobody on a joy-ride to nowhere?

Is is going to be safe to walk the extra distance to the long-stay car park if you're a lone traveller? What about disabled travellers, will they be exempt from this disgraceful 'tax'??

Security word = tall-gold ... LOL!!!....more like licence to print money!!!

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beechville says...
6:27pm Thu 26 May 11

I am disgusted at this blatant attempt to screw as much money from travellers as possible.I used to fly with jet2 from this airport,but in future I will now look at other alternatives ie humberside and doncaster,so jet2 will lose out through no fault of theirs.The airport as I see it is a complete utter mess,lack of seating in departure areas,long queues at immigration,just a few examples..Vote with your feet and refuse to use airport

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lazybeat says...
9:18pm Thu 26 May 11

actually manchester does not have this rip off system. you can park right outside to drop and pick people up. since realising this con out system I always take all flights from Manchester and work colleague also do the same.

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is bod says...
9:31pm Thu 26 May 11

Minnie99 wrote:
The free parking at the long term car park is only a three minute walk away or you can wait for the shuttle bus and not walk at all!! I tried it and it was a dream. Manchester Airport has been charging for years and it’s more expensive. Anyone trying to avoid payment should be fined - heavily, they are just inconsiderate to other people – go use the long term carpark!
I read about this at work and several of us were all of the same opinion that we would rather be dropped before entering the car park than to pay yet another tax. It's not about being inconsiderate; if the airport don't want people causing congestion then allow them to drop and collect quickly for free near to arrivals and departures as they have always done up to now.
I've had flights booked in July since last year and to now be told that it is going to cost our party of 8 £4 extra to be dropped where we have always been in the past is not on. Ok, the long stay has a shuttle service but I will have my parents and their bags to contend with.
I have always used Leeds Bradford for the convenience; let's face it, if they are starting to charge like Manchester then at least provide the rest of the facilities to match.

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Minnie99 says...
10:02pm Thu 26 May 11

Manchester do charge if fact they quote “There is no free pick-up allowed anywhere on-site. The Turn Up and Pay – Short Stay Price for up to 30 minutes is £2.20”. As far as I can see Leeds Bradford Airport are making every effort in providing better facilities than Manchester, and its working. Also if someone stops their car causing a mini jam all because they refuse to pay £2 or go to the long term car park to drop off, then they are inconsiderate as they obviously don't care they are holding up the people in the queue behind. I wonder if you will think the same if you get stuck behind them.

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Guy S Lee says...
11:06pm Thu 26 May 11

Time for people to stop moaning and accept that the airport isn't making a fortune and the airlines using it are paying a pittance. It's really disapointing to see that a few people would rather chose to take their business to other airports in other parts of the country, helping to support jobs and trade elsewhere, when we badly need it here. And all for a couple of pounds. By the way, how much does it cost in petrol or diesel these days to drive to Manchester and back?

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Makollig Jezvahted says...
6:39pm Tue 31 May 11

Absolutely disgusting cynical move. I was there today and the situation was disgraceful - minimal signing to tell you of the compulsory charge (deliberate I'm sure) and plenty of drivers being forced to dangerously reverse out of the one-way entrance because they didn't bring any money with them. Oh, and hats off to the police for harassing motorists who are trying to avoid the extortion by dropping off passengers on the main road outside, great use of your time, really community minded. Your police van was causing the biggest obstruction I saw today. Idiots. And by the way, yes they do charge disabled badge holders. The only long stay car park usable today for the 60 mins free parking was a 15 minute walk each way from the terminal. There's only one thing that airport's good for now, it's just a shame I'd had a dump before I arrived. Minnie99 - You seem very keen to defend the airport, don't suppose you feel like admitting your obvious connection?

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BattyMatty says...
10:28am Tue 21 Jun 11

It's disgusting the way you have to park for just about everything these days (currently paying £10-15 a week to park to visit a relative in hospital, too...) My husband said there is now a strong police presence on the roundabout to stop people dropping off there for free...

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