BELFAST - 2

[ESCNI]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6398983.stm

Airport scraps free car parking



Free parking at Belfast International Airport is to be scrapped, the BBC has learned.

The Consumer Council has said the move will create more congestion at the terminal. Stringent security measures at all airports mean that cars are not allowed to park outside terminal buildings.

Since last year, people picking up friends and relatives at Belfast International have been allowed to park free for 10 minutes. If they exceed that time in the short stay car park, they have to pay. It costs £1.50 for up to 30 minutes and double that for up to an hour. To avoid this, people are entering and leaving the short stay on several occasions, or parking illegally out on the main road.

'Increase congestion'

The car parks at Aldergrove are operated by Q-Park, which has now scrapped the free parking period. It says people picking up passengers will now be able to park for up to 30 minutes for a fee of £1.00. The move has angered the Consumer Council - it says the free parking period should have been extended to half an hour, not cut altogether. And it claims the decision will increase congestion at the airport at peak times. The new tariff comes into effect on Thursday.