New plan to tackle rogue airport parking firms

New measures will be implemented to crack down on rogue parking companies and nuisance street parking near Bristol Airport.

North Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police and Bristol Airport have been meeting regularly to try to tackle the impact of unofficial parking companies operating near the site.

A police crackdown last year found three car parks being run by unofficial companies near Bristol, with vehicles left insecure while a caravan was being used as an office with what appeared to be customers' car keys in it.

In response, a plan has been agreed which includes new and improved signs, parking restrictions for the Bridle Cottage layby, and additional police operations.

Some customers previously said they had been abandoned at the airport by rogue parking firms, while others complained of damage to their cars and unexplained additional mileage.

Councillor Annemieke Waite, cabinet member for planning and environment for North Somerset Council, urged people to check parking companies are credible before using them.

"Look for a parking accreditation. Check terms and conditions and reviews, and avoid companies with a mobile only number. Consider using a credit card to book," she said.

"If it looks too good to be true, it probably is."

Last year, North Somerset Council targeted illegal offsite operators, some of which were parking more than 1,000 cars in a field during the summer.

At a meeting held last month, the airport and local councillors agreed on 40 actions, which included:

• Proposing to double the funding provided by the airport to support the council's planning enforcement team
• Further joint days of action with police and the council to tackle rogue operators
• New signs enforcing no stopping or waiting in the lane directly off the airport roundabout
• Parking restrictions for the Bridle Cottage layby on the A38 near the Fox and Goose, limiting waiting for a maximum of two hours
• Expanding the capacity of the airport's one-hour free waiting zone and improved signs

Insp Christian Gresswell, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "We are fully aware of the issues and concerns residents have surrounding unaccredited parking operators, and we will continue to work with our partners to tackle them and address any issues of criminality."

Transport planning manager at the airport Rob Henley encouraged customers to use public transport if they can.

He also asked motorists and taxi drivers to be more considerate to the local community and not park outside homes.

"We recommend using our free waiting area rather than dropping off outside of people's houses and in laybys," he added.

It comes days after the West of England Combined Authority announced plans for new public transport links between Bristol city centre and the airport, which could include bendy buses, light rail or a tram.

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