Bristol Airport Parking

[TheLocalYokel]

Bristol Airport wins national car park award

Bristol Airport’s Silver Zone car park has recently won Essential Travel’s car parking award, which is based on customer reviews of their car parking experience. Thousands of responses were received and these included many nominations for staff who went the extra mile and provided “exceptional service”.

Since May 2011 Essential Travel has presented an award each month and Bristol Airport is the first on-airport car park to win the award. Due to the sheer volume of positive comments Essential Travel wished to recognise the entire Silver Zone team. The car park team were presented with an award certificate and one month’s free supply of biscuits!

In 2012 Bristol Airport has invested in excess of half a million pounds in car park improvement schemes. The developments include, a mobile-enabled car park booking site, enhancements to the long stay car park, improved signage and pick-up and drop-off areas in the Silver Zone car park.

Responding to feedback, passengers can now quickly and easily book their airport car parking whilst on the move using their smart phones. The launch of the new mobile-enabled car park booking site is designed specifically to fit the smaller screen size of mobile devices. Passengers can book their car parking by using the mobile site.

£200,000 has been invested in Premier Parking to meet the increase in demand for passengers requiring convenient parking close to the terminal.

Peter Downes, Commercial Manager - Ground Transportation, Bristol Airport said:
“These initiatives demonstrate we listen to passengers on the services and products that Bristol Airport provides and we continue to look at ways we can enhance the customer experience for the future. The feedback we received told us that more passengers wanted the unrivalled convenience and ease of access to the Terminal that our Premier Car Park offers. With these improvements on top of all on-site car parks already holding the “Park Mark” safer parking award, we’re making it even easier for customers to park at Bristol Airport, from the point of booking right through to arrival and departure”.[/textarea]
As it's an airport press release I've quoted it in full. Link. http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... ments.aspx

The Silver Zone car park is located on the south side of the airport near the general aviation apron (the other side of the runway from the terminal, airliner stands, control tower and most of the infrastructure) and is linked to the terminal by frequent courtesy 'bendy buses' operated by the airport. They use the public road (A38) to reach the terminal.

I've never used it as I'm not keen on others parking my car for me (a requirement in the Silver Zone only) so I always use the airport car parks nearer the terminal.

The Silver Zone is very popular though and the staff should be congratulated on the award.

I hope they enjoy their biscuits with their coffee/tea. As it's the Silver Zone it goes without saying that there will be no biscuit dunking.

 

[Seasider]

Shame!! No dunking? how are they going to stop them?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Shame!! No dunking? how are they going to stop them?

At the Silver Zone? Perish the thought!

Not with Fortnum and Mason's County Selection which is what the staff will expect as a minimum.

No mugs at this car park - bone china cups and saucers - and certainly no saucering of the tea.

It's worth flying out via the Silver Zone just to observe the genteel behaviour of the attendants - so I'm told.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Drop Off-Pick Up Car Park

When BRS revamped the paid drop off-pick up car park near the terminal they also provided a free option at the western end of the long-stay car park over 400 metres from the terminal.

The free car park (I think for ten minutes) was beautifully laid out with smooth tarmac and clearly marked parking bays and pedestrian paths across the car park.

The trouble was hardly anyone used it and it was never signposted along any of the airport roads that I could see.

In recent weeks the free car park seems to have disappeared and it's been incorporated into the long-stay car park.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Bristol Airport introduces Ratings and Reviews for car parks

Passengers parking at Bristol Airport now have the opportunity to review their experience following the launch of a new ratings system.

By linking up with leading independent review service, Reevoo, Bristol has become the first UK airport to introduce genuine ratings and reviews for car park customers.

Star ratings are now displayed for all official on-site car parks to help inform the booking process, with more detailed comments just a click away.

Isabelle Whiteman, Head of Commercial Marketing at Bristol Airport, said:
“We are confident that our car parks provide value for money, convenience and good customer service. Genuine ratings and reviews will help us maintain these high standards while providing valuable information to prospective customers when they book their parking ahead of a holiday or business trip.”

All on-site car parks at Bristol Airport have been awarded the Park Mark award for safer parking under a scheme set up by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The best prices for on-site parking are available by booking online with Bristol Airport, with prices from £3.34 per day*.

*Note: £3.34 daily price is based on a 15 day stay for Silver Zone non-flexible product, when booked at least 7 days in advance, subject to availability.[/textarea]
BRS press release: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... views.aspx

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I got a quote for nine days car parking at BRS at the end of the month.

Long Stay came in at £88 whilst Silver Zone was £62 or £65 depending whether you opt for the flexible package. Meet and Greet was £118 and Premier £122. All these prices had factored in the 10% discount for a Rewards member.

Long Stay usually means a hike from the furthermost part of the car park albeit there are buses touring the car park every 10-15 minutes. Silver Zone entails a bus ride from the southside having left your car for someone else to park.

For my period the airport taxi company has quoted a total of £52.25 for a journey to the airport and a journey home afterwards. I live nine miles by road from BRS.

As the airport taxi will also drop me off outside the terminal there doesn't seem much of a contest. I realise that for people living much further away the car parking options might be preferable but there must be a huge number of people living within 9-10 miles of the airport like me: nearly half of Bristol for starters.

 

[rollo]

Not really Bristol related but just for comparson last week booked 15 days parking at BHX long stay, car park 5 from Nov 24th for
£58 it's a bus shuttle to the terminal or a 5/10 min walk depending where you can find a parking space, there are plenty at that time of year so it's an easy walk to the terminal

So BHX seems competitive although I'm not sure if prices are reduced in winter.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Not really Bristol related but just for comparson last week booked 15 days parking at BHX long stay, car park 5 from Nov 24th for
£58 it's a bus shuttle to the terminal or a 5/10 min walk depending where you can find a parking space, there are plenty at that time of year so it's an easy walk to the terminal

So BHX seems competitive although I'm not sure if prices are reduced in winter.

There are a lot of 'unofficial' off-site car parks around BRS. The local authority closes one down periodically but something else then pops up.

The Silver Zone car park on the southside of the airport (connected with the main northside where the terminal is located by shuttle bus along the A38) has been extended from this year and it's now a huge area - many thousands of spaces. The main long stay car park on the northside also houses several thousand vehicles but in peak summer it's usually rammed with (in our personal past experience) some cars just left on the side of the car park roadways, hence our looking for a taxi. The first multi-storey car park is due to commence building this autumn.

Given that the car parks are extremely well used, despite the prices, a good proportion of the airport's healthy annual profits each year must come from car parking.

 

[Kernow Bravo]

Given that the car parks are extremely well used, despite the prices, a good proportion of the airport's healthy annual profits each year must come from car parking.

In my limited experience, much of the long stay and more expensive car parks are not even sealed surfaces and any space markings which are present are difficult to see, inviting irresponsible parking particularly if passengers are in a rush. On that basis I'd say that ground maintenance costs are minimal, so absolutely this seems to be a highly profitable part of the operation.

Clearly BRS is taking advantage of it's large catchment and the well documented accessibility challenges which give many passengers little alternative but to drive, and are held to ransom with charges not dissimilar to those at LHR. Hardly surprising then that 'unofficial' car parks spring up like mushrooms!

Taxi is therefore a no brainer, even for a long weekend break, if you live close to the airport.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I noticed today that there are two new 'bendy' buses (17 registrations) which with an older third bendy bus were operating the Silver Zone shuttle.

When I returned through the airport last week I noticed several Cobus 3000s parked up. I know that some are still used for passenger carrying to/from remote stands but I hadn't realised so many had been retained.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Council wants to ban illegal car parks 40 miles around Bristol Airport - but faces delay

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/council-wants-ban-illegal-car-509267

The local authority (North Somerset Unitary Authority) is currently carrying out a consultation into plans to introduce a piece of legislation known as 'Article 4 Direction' that would prevent illegal car parks being set up in a 38 square miles area around the airport.

Currently operators can set up car parks for 28 days in each calendar year under 'permitted development'. Article 4 Direction when implemented would ban this right.

However, the government has now issued new directives meaning that the local authority will have to hold a period of further consultation as the proposed order will have to be re-written. Even then there is a shortage of enforcement officers owing to government cutbacks so enforcement might still be patchy.

Off-site car parks are a common site around the airport - some probably have planning permission whereas others come and go as the council steps in to shut them down. Nevertheless, for the periods that they remain open they doubtless make a decent wad of cash.

PS Trinity Mirror, the publishers of the Bristol Post and numerous other local newspapers around the country, still hasn't splashed out on a new picture of BRS. The one accompanying this report features a Continental B757 on stand; the route ceased in 2010!

 

[kraktoa]

Some changes to the silver zone car parking. Until now, you entered the car park and a pre fab key deposit building is right in front. So you parked close by after the entry barrier. Not any more.

After entering the barrier. The key deposit building is on the right about 200-300 metres down the car park. A big 2 storey block, not the pre fab hut we had before. So parking the car is here.

As usual passengers are creatures of habit and totally lost. Signs could have been better.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Some changes to the silver zone car parking. Until now, you entered the car park and a pre fab key deposit building is right in front. So you parked close by after the entry barrier. Not any more.

After entering the barrier. The key deposit building is on the right about 200-300 metres down the car park. A big 2 storey block, not the pre fab hut we had before. So parking the car is here.

As usual passengers are creatures of habit and totally lost. Signs could have been better.

Local press report with picture at below link.

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/parking-bristol-airport-set-easier-515912

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The airport has now issued a press release regarding the new Silver Zone car park reception building.

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab...media-centre/2017/9/new-silver-zone-reception
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£2.5 Million Improvements for Bristol Airport Car Parks
Created: 21st Sep 2017

New car park reception opens to passengers for the first time

A major car park improvement scheme at Bristol Airport opened to passengers for the first time this week. A total of £2.5m has been invested in the Silver Zone car park, with a new reception building for customers headlining the improvements.

The reception building is located at the heart of an extended Silver Zone car park, which provides more car park spaces in order to meet expected demand next summer. On a typical day thousands of people pass through the reception building, which hosts up to 50 staff from the Airport’s ground transportation team. The two-storey structure is designed to create a more positive first and last impression for passengers when using the Airport.

The Silver Zone Car Park has been awarded the Park Mark award for safer parking and is equipped with CCTV, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Vehicle Damage Recognition (VDR) cameras on entry, a secure fence, and is monitored 24 hours a day. All vehicles are kept in the secure area and are not moved from the car park at any time. A frequent courtesy coach transfer to and from the terminal operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

The development provides improved internal road design, landscaping and signage all geared to assist passengers when parking cars on site. In the reception building passengers will see an enlarged reception area with the interior décor using colours and textures highlighting the Sense of Place initiative already in place in the terminal showcasing the region.

The investment in car parks follows major extensions to the terminal building, including a £24 million upgrade to the security search, baggage reclaim and arrivals areas. Improvements to the immigration hall totalling £2.3 million, and a 201 room Hampton-by-Hilton hotel opened earlier in 2017. Work is also underway for the first phase of a multi-storey car park, to be located opposite the terminal and set to open summer 2018.

Andrew Goodenough, Development Director at Bristol Airport, said:
“These developments demonstrate our continued drive to enhance passenger facilities at Bristol Airport. The improvements at Silver Zone meets the growing passenger demand for good quality, secure car parking, as passengers can now enjoy great service in brand-new facilities with the peace of mind their car will be safe and secure on-site at a competitive price. Once completed, the multi-storey car park will provide a complementary offer for those wanting the added convenience of parking in close proximity to the terminal.”

The route network available from Bristol Airport is also growing, with direct flights to over 120 destinations and frequent daily services to major hubs including Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin and Frankfurt.

Having invested more than £160 million in new infrastructure and facilities since 2010, Bristol Airport is well positioned to serve passengers across the South West of the UK, and also provides a gateway to the region for international visitors. This has resulted in the Airport being rated number one in the UK for overall customer satisfaction by ASQ, the benchmarking programme run by Airports Council International.

Throughout 2017, Bristol Airport will be celebrating 60 years at its current site. As well as looking back on a rich aviation history, work will begin on an updated Master Plan which will consider how best to meet growing demand for air travel to and from the South West and South Wales over the next two decades. The views of customers, employees, neighbours and others stakeholders will be vital in helping to shape the Airport’s vision for the future.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/hundreds-passengers-queue-rain-new-550955

Lots of teething troubles it would seem with the new Silver Zone parking system. Despite the £2.5 million worth of improvements including a brand new reception building there were queues around the block on one day at least.

A couple of weeks ago I was at the airport one lunchtime when bendy Silver Zone bus after bendy Silver Zone bus rammed with returning passengers were leaving the front of the terminal to reach the Silver Zone reception. I thought than that they must have an incredible system if the can process that number in no time at all.

I never like using car parks where I have to leave my cars keys. When I drive to BRS for a flight I use the long stay on the north side. It might be a bit more expensive than Silver Zone and it can be a long walk from the far end to the terminal if you don't want to wait for one of the buses that tour the long stay but I prefer that.

In fact, the last time we used BRS we caught a taxi (a private one, not the airport taxis) and the return fare plus tips was still cheaper than Silver Zone or Long Stay.

PS The Trinity Mirror-owned Bristol Post still can't run to getting themselves a modern picture of BRS. The one that illustrates the article is yonks old.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/man-returns-majorca-find-bristol-926781

Man returns from Majorca to find Bristol Airport staff crashed his car – writing it off completely

One of the reasons why I never use the Silver Zone car park. I don't like valet parking with my own car. I either use the long stay on the north side or, increasingly, make use of a taxi which isn't a problem for me as I only live nine miles from the airport by road.

I appreciate that I might get back and find that someone has driven into my car in the long stay car park but at least I have taken one potential hazard out of the equation - the valet parking driver.

Reminds me of this.

 

[CraigW92]

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/man-returns-majorca-find-bristol-926781

Man returns from Majorca to find Bristol Airport staff crashed his car – writing it off completely

One of the reasons why I never use the Silver Zone car park. I don't like valet parking with my own car. I either use the long stay on the north side or, increasingly, make use of a taxi which isn't a problem for me as I only live nine miles from the airport by road.

I appreciate that I might get back and find that someone has driven into my car in the long stay car park but at least I have taken one potential hazard out of the equation - the valet parking driver.

Reminds me of this.

Agreed with you Local with regards to the Long Stay, I actually find it to be very reasonably priced ( even more so if you can grab a discount code on holiday extras ) secure and also really just a short 2 minute walk from the terminal, I've never used the free bus to the terminal, usually as I don't bring hold luggage for trips to LIS etc, I don't really fancy or trust someone else with my vehicle

 

[TheLocalYokel]

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/passengers-stranded-bristol-airport-after-1433097

Passengers stranded at Bristol Airport after meet and greet company 'refuses' to return vehicles

Passengers who had booked online through various Meet and Greet websites found their cars were not awaiting them on return to the airport. The various websites had contracted the bookings to a local company who reportedly came up with at least two explanations as to why they could not return the cars. The company allegedly also refused to say where the cars were.

The police became involved and, according to the newspaper report, the company also refused to tell the police where they were. The cars were eventually located in various locations, at least one in a filthy state, including country roads, laybys and a pub car park. Many passengers were delayed for several hours, some overnight, before their cars were eventually re-united with them.

This shows yet again how careful people have to be when they use non-airport offsite car parks. Sometimes saving a few quid up front might not be the best option.

 

[Jerry]

Unfortunately unless it's the airports official meet and greet people are taking a risk with online ones booked through websites even though there will be many reputable ones there is always the risk of getting 'cowboy' firms.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Off site meet and greet car park fiasco

Further to the above, both BBC 'Points West' and HTV tv news bulletins at teatime today had this story as the lead. It seems that some cars are still to be reunited with their owners. The police have apparently removed documents from the car park company and are considering whether any criminal offence might have been committed. The latest 'excuse' from the car park company is that the owner suffered a heart attack. Over the weekend the company's drivers had supposedly gone on strike and later it was a road accident that cause the problems. The compamy refused to discuss the matter with the tv reporters. I'd have thought that if anything it would be something for trading standards to look into.

Both local tv bulletins contributed to Mr Simon Calder's pension fund as he was interviewed on both. He made the sensible suggestion that people should only book with companies they trust from personal experience or reputation. He also pointed out that such experiences endured by the BRS passengers are not unique and have occurred at other airports.

He made the point that there are other ways to reach airports but could not restrain himself from introducing some negativity about the airport when he said (on both tv channels) that Bristol Airport has poor public transport links, albeit he did give the Airport Flyer a mention, and with 10 mppa looming he said something should be done.

He can't have used Melbourne Tullamarine with its well over 30 mppa that also only has bus links with a similar service to the BRS Flyer.