How do Airports Cater for Disabled Parking
Are you an orange/blue badge holder or have special needs that may require wheelchair access looking for airport car Parking?
If so, I hope this short article will help to explain what options are
available and how you can go about making enquiries or bookings to
ensure you have a comfortable and hassle free journey to the airport.
When planning a holiday or trip that involves air travel you need to
know that the whole journey is accessible before you set out.
Encountering a problem at any stage of the journey such as not being
able to find assistance, or a particular vehicle not being accessible
could ruin the whole experience, leave you stranded or even stop you
from travelling altogether.
Whether you are a disabled traveller or require wheelchair access it is
worth taking the time and trouble to plan your travel arrangements
before you set out, so that you can enjoy your trip and the journey
itself can be a pleasure.
If you are flying from a UK airport you may require airport car
Parking. Recently I had an email from a customer enquiring about
disabled Parking facilities. To my surprise we had very little
information on our website and when I looked on other websites there
was also a lack of information.
This led me to spend some considerable time putting together all the
information a traveller with special needs may require when considering
their car Parking arrangements at the airport. I have covered the five
main UK airports below which account for over 60% of passenger traffic.
I will be updating our information for other airports in due course,
meanwhile you can visit our website...
www.Parking4less.co.uk
for the most up to date information regarding your departure airport.
Please note: at all UK airports, for security reasons, the blue badge
(previously orange badge) scheme applies in car parks only. There is no
waiting period outside the terminal buildings and no vehicles can be
left unattended. Prices and information correct at date of publication
(October 2005).
HEATHROW AIRPORT
Short Stay
All car park prices are displayed at car park entrances.
Clearly signed blue/orange badge Parking is available in all short stay car parks located close to terminal access routes.
Help points are located near these spaces and assistance is free to those with special needs.
Wheelchair push/provision or help with baggage will be provided. Lift the green telephone and request assistance.
If you wish to park in blue/orange badge space but take your badge
abroad, you will need to show your badge to the car park operator.
Please contact the car park operator via the help button on the car
park entry machine or by using a help point telephone and asking that
the operator be contacted.
You must pay for car park tickets at the customer service kiosks or
automatic payment machines before returning to your car. If you cannot
reach the ticket/payment slot, press the help button.
Long Stay
On-airport at Parking Express serving terminal 1,2 and 3 or their
second car park serving terminal 4. Disabled Parking spaces are located
by the courtesy transfer bus stops and the buses have low floors with
wheelchair spaces. Transfers run every 10 minutes between 4.45am and
11.45pm. Outside these hours service operates on request.
Pre-booked price from £8.58 per day.
Off-airport at easyParking (serves all terminals). Their office is
accessible to disabled passengers and the transfer buses are fully
adapted to carry wheelchairs. Transfers operate every 15 minutes 24
hours a day.
Pre-booked price from £6.25 per day.
For more information visit the Parking4less Heathrow Airport Parking page
GATWICK AIRPORT
Short Stay
Prices are displayed clearly at car park entrances.
Clearly signed blue/orange badge Parking is available in the
multistorey car parks of both terminals, for short stay Parking.
Accessible routes into the terminals are available and are signposted.
Help points are located near the reserved Parking spaces and assistance
is free to those with special needs. Wheelchair push/provision or help
with baggage can be provided on request, simply lift the telephone and
request assistance, quoting your flight number. Please note that
priority for assistance is likely to be given to those who have
pre-booked with their airline or travel agent.
All the multistorey car parks have a general height limit of two
metres, however there is a high sided vehicle park nearby if required.
If you wish to park in blue/orange badge space but take your badge
abroad, you will need to show your badge to the car park operator.
Please contact the car park operator via the help button on the car
park entry machine.
You must pay for car park tickets at the customer service kiosks or
automatic payment machines before returning to your car. If you cannot
reach the ticket payment slot, press the help button.
Long Stay
On-airport at Parking Express for either the South or North terminal.
Disabled Parking spaces are located by the courtesy transfer bus stops
and the buses have low floors with wheelchair spaces. Transfers run
every 7 to 10 minutes, 24 hours a day.
Blue/orange badge holders can pre-book for long stay Parking and park
in the short stay car park. Take a ticket on entry and leave your
blue/orange badge on display (a photocopy will suffice should you need
to take it with you). On your return visit one of the car park
receptions offices and present your pre-booked Parking voucher along
with your blue/orange badge and they will validate an exit ticket for
you. See above for further details of the short stay car park.
Pre-booked prices from £5.59 per day.
Off-airport at BCP serving both terminals. BCP is located just 10
minutes from both terminals with 24 hour transfers. Courtesy transfer
to and from the airport terminal in your own vehicle arranged after you
have pre-booked by calling 0870 0134600.
Pre-booked price from £5.62 per day.
For more information visit the Parking4less Gatwick Airport Parking page
STANSTEAD AIRPORT
Short Stay
Car park prices are displayed clearly at the car park entrance.
Blue/orange badge Parking is available in zone D which is located close to the terminal building.
A help point is situated close to the Parking bays in zone D should you
require a wheelchair or assistance. This is a free service up to the
point of check-in.
If you wish to park in the blue/orange badge space but need to take
your badge abroad, please contact the car park operator via the help
button on the entry barrier.
You must pay for car park tickets at the customer service kiosks or
automatic payment machines before returning to your car. Payment
machines are located in baggage reclaim and in the car park close to
the disabled bays. If you cannot reach the ticket/payment slot, please
press the help button.
Mid-Stay
The mid stay car park (EParking) is situated just over a mile from the
terminal building, all transfer coaches are free of charge and
wheelchair accessible. Please allow at least 20 minutes to transfer to
the terminal building.
Blue Badge Parking spaces are situated close to the coach pick up shelters, the shelters also have help buttons.
On arrival at the terminal the coach driver or forecourt marshal will
assist you from the coach. Help phones are situated outside each of the
revolving entry doors should you require a wheelchair or assistance.
This is a free service up to the point of check-in.
On your return, the transfer coach driver or forecourt marshal will
assist you onto the coach which will transfer you back to the mid stay
car park.
Pre-booked price from £8.75 per day.
Long Stay
On-airport long stay car park (Pink Elephant) is situated approximately
four miles from the terminal building. All transfer coaches are free of
charge and wheelchair accessible. Please allow at least 45 minutes to
transfer to the terminal building.
Orange/Blue Badge Parking spaces are situated close to the coach pick up shelters, the shelters also have help buttons.
On arrival at the terminal the coach driver or forecourt marshal will
assist you from the coach. Help phones are situated outside each of the
revolving entry doors should you require a wheelchair or assistance.
This is a free service up to the point of check-in.
The transfer coach driver or forecourt marshal will assist onto the
coach which will transfer you back to the long stay car park.
Pre-booked price from £5.60 per day.
For more information visit the Parking4less Stansted Airport Parking page
MANCHESTER AIRPORT
Short Stay
Prices are displayed clearly at all car park entrances.
Special Disabled Parking Bays are available in the short stay car parks, located adjacent to the lifts.
Wheelchair assistance is provided by the airlines, arrangements should
be requested at the time of booking your flight or holiday. If you wish
to park in a disabled bay but take your badge with you on you journey,
please contact the call centre on 0161 489 3723 to make arrangements.
Long Stay
On-airport at Premier Park with Orange/Blue Badge Parking spaces
situated close to the coach pick up shelters. A frequent courtesy bus
with wheelchair access runs between the car park and all the terminals.
Once you have pre-booked you can convert your booking to the short stay
car park at no extra charge by ringing 0161 489 3723. You will be
required to provide your flight details, dates of travel, car
registration number and disabled badge number.
Pre-booked price from £4.65 per day.
Off-airport at Airparks Services with transfers operating 24 hours per
day taking approximately 20 minutes. All buses have disabled access.
Pre-booked price from £2.99 per day.
For more information visit the Parking4less Manchester Airport Parking page
LUTON AIRPORT
Short Stay
There are dedicated disabled Parking bays for Blue Disabled Badge
holders at the front of the Short Term Car Park. Free Parking is
allowed for the first 60 minutes. Any overstay will result in the full
payment being required from the time of arrival in the car park.
Customers wishing to claim the free 60 minutes should present their
disabled Parking badge at the NCP desk within the terminal building for
validation. The disabled Parking clock must remain on show within the
vehicle.
Passenger Assistance Telephones are available should further assistance be required.
Pre-booked price from £15.75
Mid Stay
The Mid Stay car park is suited to stays of up to 5 days and has
designated disabled bays. A fully accessible bus service is provided
for transport to the terminal. Their drivers welcome the opportunity to
assist disabled customers to board and disembark the buses on request.
A Special Assistance Help Point is available enabling disabled
customers to call for free assistance.
Pre-booked price from £11.05 per day.
Long Stay
On-airport the Long Stay car park also welcomes disabled drivers. A
fully accessible bus service is provided for transport to the terminal.
Airport drivers welcome the opportunity to assist disabled customers to
board and disembark the buses on request. There is also a Special
Assistance Help Point enabling disabled passengers to call for free
assistance.
Pre-booked price from £7.55 per day.
Off-airport at Airparks Services with transfers operating 24 hours a
day. All of the Airparks Services buses have disabled access.
Pre-booked price from £2.99 per day.
For more information visit the Parking4less Luton Airport Parking page
If you want to find out more information about the motoring needs of disabled drivers visit Aiding Mobility.
Article Source: http://www.theukarticledirectory.co.uk/.
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