Newcastle Airport Urged to Open More Free Parking
Newcastle International Airport should set up another free drop-off zone in response to new parking restrictions, a councillor has urged.
It was confirmed on Monday that Newcastle City Council will start enforcing new ‘red route’ rules near the airport this month. That means drivers will face a £70 fine if they are caught parking up along double red lines being painted along Callerton Lane and the B6918, a spot often busy with vehicles waiting to come into the airport site.
The Newcastle Chronicle is reporting that currently, the only free parking within the airport’s land is at its Short Stay 2 car park – but vehicles can stay there for just 15 minutes before being charged, meaning some motorists choose to idle somewhere close to the travel hub to avoid having to pay while they wait to drive in to either pick up or drop off passengers. It costs £4 to park in the Express Pick Up and Drop Off car park located immediately outside the terminal for just 10 minutes, £7 for half an hour and £11 for an hour.
Amid concern that the “illegal, inconsiderate and dangerous parking” that bothered local residents and Newcastle City Council could simply now be pushed over the county border into Northumberland, one councillor has now called for a significant shake-up of the airport’s parking offer. Gordon Stewart, a member of Northumberland County Council’s Conservative cabinet, said he fears the changes will “not show our area’s international airport in a welcoming way” and issued a plea for bosses to open another free area to try and resolve the problem.
The airport says that it is planning to introduce a “significant” number of new public spaces by redeveloping the Bellair parking site in Callerton Lane.
Coun Stewart told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Another major concern is people may be getting dropped off or collected by the roadside near the airport which would be extremely dangerous. The only free parking available at the airport itself is in the Short Stay 2 car park, where drivers can park without charge for up to 15 minutes only. This is too far away for people with mobility issues and families with young children.
“I would ask that the airport considers making a free drop-off zone and actively promote it, I am sure this would be welcomed by many including travellers, residents and taxi drivers.”
A spokesperson for Newcastle airport confirmed on Tuesday that work to boost capacity at the car park on Callerton Lane is due to start this winter. They said: “The Airport provides a safe, free waiting area at Bellair Car Park, Callerton Lane, for local taxi drivers to use while waiting to drop off or pick up passengers. A 15-minute free drop off period is also provided for customers in the Short Stay 2 car park which is a short 2-3 minute walk from the terminal.
“This provision is signposted from the Airport entrance and is closer to the terminal than many of the free drop off areas at other UK airports. If passengers would like the convenience of parking closer, paid for car parking options are available.
“This winter the Airport will commence work to redevelop the Bellair Car Park site, which will provide more parking spaces for taxi drivers alongside a significant number of new spaces for the public. The Airport’s car park revenues are used to further improve the Airport for the benefit of the North East.
“We have invested heavily in the terminal over the last 12 months, including the implementation of next generation security technology and a host of new catering outlets. Over the coming winter, additional funds will be invested in even more improvements to the passenger experience and our infrastructure. This will include a large scale, £17m project to strengthen and resurface the Airport’s runway; ensuring that we can continue to provide critical inbound and outbound connectivity for the region.”
Newcastle City Council will start enforcement of the new red route from October 21. Local authority bosses say the routes will be monitored by static cameras, mobile cameras and Civil Enforcement Officers to catch drivers found to be breaching the no stopping restrictions. Offenders will receive a penalty charge notice for £70, or £35 if paid within 21 days.
A spokesperson added that no formal objections had been made by Northumberland County Council during Newcastle’s consultation on the red route. Labour councillor Marion Williams, the council’s cabinet member responsible for transport, said that people living near the airport have been forced to put up with noise “at all hours of day and night” from cars parking outside their homes and that existing double yellow lines are often ignored by drivers.