Visitors to Bristol Airport would have recently noticed a drastic change to how vehicles enter and leave the site. The airport in North Somerset is undergoing a major transformation as part of a £400 million scheme to upgrade facilities as part of a major expansion that will allow for 12 million passengers to use the airport.
As part of the project, work has been ongoing for the last year to build a new £60m public transport interchange and multi-storey car park at the airport. The scheme is aimed at “transforming the entrance to the airport” as it approaches its 70th birthday (in 2027).
As part of the work, a new internal road layout was introduced from September this year. Diversions are currently in effect during this time as a section of Northside Road is closed to facilitate the building of a new pedestrian bridge, providing level access to the terminal building. In addition, the first roundabout (when leaving the A38) has been removed.
The new route when entering the airport will take cars around the back of the development along a new perimeter road. Cars will turn left towards the Hampton by Hilton hotel, where drivers can access the hotel, the existing multi-storey, short stay and pick up car parks.
At the roundabout by the hotel, if drivers continue straight over, they will reach the drop and go, and meet and greet car parks. To exit the airport, all traffic will use the perimeter road where a new acoustic fence has been fitted.
The route to the Silver Zone and free waiting area remains unchanged, the complimentary bus shuttle from car rentals will continue to drop passengers outside the terminal, and the forecourt will also remain open to the Airport Flyer bus services and car park buses. Bristol Airport said that the road system will remain in place until the permanent route opens, scheduled to be in autumn 2025.
A Bristol Airport spokesperson said: “There will be signage at key points along the route to help familiarise customers and clearly indicate where to travel. We have also produced a video that people using the Airport can watch to familiarise themselves. As the road is a red route, no stopping is permitted, and traffic calming is in place in the interest of safety.
“The location of the car parks has not changed, but if any customers are unsure where to go, they should follow the signage. They can also drive into any car park, and around to the exit barrier, where they can press the help button and speak to a member of the team for further directions. Customers should have their booking reference to hand.”
What is happening within the £400 million plan?
The ongoing development is part of a £400 million plan to enhance the airport and make it easier and more convenient for passengers. The first phase of this plan was completed in June when new technology, costing £11.5 million, was introduced to improve screening and make security more customer-friendly.
The £60 million development will include building an additional multi-storey car park which will join up to the existing multi-storey, providing more than 2000 new spaces. Pedestrians will be able to use a new glazed bridge link which will connect the car parks to the terminal – with pedestrians being shielded from the weather and the flat surface allowing a better ease of access.
Meanwhile, a new transport hub will be built on the top level of the car park and will offer 10 new bays for coaches and buses. It would double the existing number of bays. The top level will also become a dedicated drop off and pick up location.
In October it was revealed that a convenience store would be created within the transport hub and that Bristol Airport had invited supermarket chains to put forward bids for the new store. The hub itself should be open by August 2025.
How about in the future?
CEO Dave Lees said that the airport would be launching a consultation on a plan to increase the number of passengers it can handle each year, beyond the 12 million a year total it now has permission to facilitate. It is expected to lodge a formal planning application in the New Year.
Speaking to ITV West, Mr Lees said: “We’ll come forward in a timely manner and consult with people, of course, taking views from people as we look to fulfil the demand from passengers in the future. We constantly look at trends in air travel and what we’ve been really pleasantly surprised by is that people really do want to continue to travel.”
Over the next few years, the terminal will be increased by 70 percent as new restaurants, retail offerings and casual eating options will become available. Mr Lees said: “There will be a range of casual dining options including more restaurants as well as increasing the size of our lounges for those wanting a quieter location to relax. In addition, over the next three years as part of the terminal improvements, we will also be substantially increasing the immigration area, baggage reclaim hall and the number of baggage reclaim units.”
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