There has been a minor change in arrival procedure for Stansted Mid Stay and Stansted Long Stay airport parking - highlighted in red.
Arrival Procedures:
The car park has an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system, so please make sure you enter your vehicle registration number correctly when you make your booking. You should bring your booking confirmation to the car park.
On arrival drive up to the entry barrier, the machine will read and recognise your car registration number. This should take about 15 seconds. A ticket will be printed showing your booking reference and the barrier will lift. Park your car and transfer to the airport.
If the barrier does not give you a ticket within 15 seconds, press the help button for assistance.
13 January 2011
No on-site car parking at Gatwick Sofitel
With effect from 1st February 2011 there will be no car parking available on-site at the Sofitel London Gatwick for a period of approximately 7 months. This is as a result of a new development on the hotel car park.
In the interim car parking will be available at the airport short stay car park directly opposite the hotel, or at the airport long stay car park which provides transport back to North Terminal.
Gatwick travellers can search for a book Gatwick airport parking at www.helpmetravel.co.uk
In the interim car parking will be available at the airport short stay car park directly opposite the hotel, or at the airport long stay car park which provides transport back to North Terminal.
Gatwick travellers can search for a book Gatwick airport parking at www.helpmetravel.co.uk
12 January 2011
Safety considerations when booking airport parking
Holidays are for relaxing, forgetting about the pressures of work, and certainly not worrying about anything. So the last thing you need to worry about when you're away is where your car is parked and how safe it is.
In the past there have been scare stories about cowboy airport parking companies that see airport parking, particularly during the busy summer holiday season, as a great way to make a fast buck or two; companies that promise a secure, fully-insured parking service only to be caught parking customers cars in out-of-town supermarket car parks, industrial estates, on the drive of their own home, or in the case of one 'company' outside their kebab shop!
How can you make sure you are booking your airport parking with a reputable company?
You want to make sure that your car is going to be parked in a recognised, council-approved car park, with adequate security and secure gated access to prevent theft. A good way to start looking for a reputable company is to ask friends and family who they park their vehicles with, and what were their experiences, would they recommend them and would they use the company again?
A check with an online travel forum, such as tripadvisor.com is another way to find a good parking company.
On-airport parking will be in a recognised, purpose-built car park with good security procedures in place, however, this can be an expensive option.
For a cheaper option consider off-airport parking. Off-airport parking is run by independent airport parking operators and this is where you could encounter problems. Look for established companies – a trawl through online booking sites, such as Help Me Travel, Holiday Extras and Essential Travel will identify reputable companies, however, not all airport parking companies sell their parking through these sites.
The best way to check that any airport parking company, off-site or meet and greet, is reputable and has the proper security procedures in place is to look for the Safer Parking ParkMark award.
Safer Parking ParkMark Award
This award is given only to companies that have demonstrated strict standards of security, that their car park is properly managed and maintained and has the correct amount of surveillance, lighting, signage, cleanliness plus has secure entry and exit points.
To receive the safer parking ParkMark accreditation, parking facilities must be assessed by accredited Police who visit the car parking site to check the car park against the Safer Parking Scheme’s criteria. The criteria also includes measures to be put in place to help deter criminal activity, anti-social behaviour and help prevent crime within the parking facility.
The ParkMark scheme is managed by the British Parking Association and supported by the Home Office and Scottish Government. Once awarded the ParkMark approval, companies are assessed annually to ensure high standards of parking are maintained.
So, when booking your airport parking, take the safer option: look for the safer parking ParkMark logo. You can also check the safer parking website (saferparking.com) for a list of accredited parking companies at your local airport.
In the past there have been scare stories about cowboy airport parking companies that see airport parking, particularly during the busy summer holiday season, as a great way to make a fast buck or two; companies that promise a secure, fully-insured parking service only to be caught parking customers cars in out-of-town supermarket car parks, industrial estates, on the drive of their own home, or in the case of one 'company' outside their kebab shop!
How can you make sure you are booking your airport parking with a reputable company?
You want to make sure that your car is going to be parked in a recognised, council-approved car park, with adequate security and secure gated access to prevent theft. A good way to start looking for a reputable company is to ask friends and family who they park their vehicles with, and what were their experiences, would they recommend them and would they use the company again?
A check with an online travel forum, such as tripadvisor.com is another way to find a good parking company.
On-airport parking will be in a recognised, purpose-built car park with good security procedures in place, however, this can be an expensive option.
For a cheaper option consider off-airport parking. Off-airport parking is run by independent airport parking operators and this is where you could encounter problems. Look for established companies – a trawl through online booking sites, such as Help Me Travel, Holiday Extras and Essential Travel will identify reputable companies, however, not all airport parking companies sell their parking through these sites.
The best way to check that any airport parking company, off-site or meet and greet, is reputable and has the proper security procedures in place is to look for the Safer Parking ParkMark award.
Safer Parking ParkMark Award
This award is given only to companies that have demonstrated strict standards of security, that their car park is properly managed and maintained and has the correct amount of surveillance, lighting, signage, cleanliness plus has secure entry and exit points.
To receive the safer parking ParkMark accreditation, parking facilities must be assessed by accredited Police who visit the car parking site to check the car park against the Safer Parking Scheme’s criteria. The criteria also includes measures to be put in place to help deter criminal activity, anti-social behaviour and help prevent crime within the parking facility.
The ParkMark scheme is managed by the British Parking Association and supported by the Home Office and Scottish Government. Once awarded the ParkMark approval, companies are assessed annually to ensure high standards of parking are maintained.
So, when booking your airport parking, take the safer option: look for the safer parking ParkMark logo. You can also check the safer parking website (saferparking.com) for a list of accredited parking companies at your local airport.
30 November 2010
Official Gatwick airport parking charges increase by 70%
Gatwick airport parking charges have soared by a massive 70% according to Essential Travel, the Guardian reports.
Research by the Holiday add-on company reveals that, since BAA sold the airport to GIP last year, the cost of a week’s Gatwick parking has risen from £44.80 (Pre-booked parking in long-stay car park, starting at 9am on 10 December to 5pm on 17 December 2009) to £75.20 – a whopping 67% price increase!
For the full Guardian article click here
Research by the Holiday add-on company reveals that, since BAA sold the airport to GIP last year, the cost of a week’s Gatwick parking has risen from £44.80 (Pre-booked parking in long-stay car park, starting at 9am on 10 December to 5pm on 17 December 2009) to £75.20 – a whopping 67% price increase!
For the full Guardian article click here
17 November 2010
Airparks airport parking transfer details
When you book off-site airport parking it’s often a concern as to how far the airport car park is away from the airport terminal, how often the shuttle buses run, and how long the transfer times will be.
Detailed below are the approximate transfer times for all Airparks locations:
Birmingham
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 25 minutes and taking only 13 minutes.
Cardiff
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 30 minutes and taking only 3 minutes.
East Midlands
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 25 minutes and taking only 8 minutes.
Gatwick
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 20 minutes and taking only 10 minutes.
Glasgow
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 20 minutes and taking only 10 minutes.
Luton
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 20 minutes and taking only 9 minutes.
Newcastle
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating on demand and taking only 4 minutes.
Detailed below are the approximate transfer times for all Airparks locations:
Birmingham
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 25 minutes and taking only 13 minutes.
Cardiff
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 30 minutes and taking only 3 minutes.
East Midlands
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 25 minutes and taking only 8 minutes.
Gatwick
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 20 minutes and taking only 10 minutes.
Glasgow
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 20 minutes and taking only 10 minutes.
Luton
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating every 20 minutes and taking only 9 minutes.
Newcastle
Transfers are available twenty-four hours a day, operating on demand and taking only 4 minutes.
03 September 2010
Stansted Airport car park fire not thought to be suspicious
A blaze that resulted in 24 vehicles being destroyed in the long-stay car park at Stansted Airport was ‘not suspicious’ the BBC has reported.
The fire, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, is thought to have been sparked by an electrical fault in one of the cars.
The cars affected all belonged to holidaymakers using Stansted Airport parking services.
The fire, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, is thought to have been sparked by an electrical fault in one of the cars.
The cars affected all belonged to holidaymakers using Stansted Airport parking services.
02 September 2010
Arrival and return procedures for East Midlands Airport on-airport car parks
If you have booked East Midlands Airport parking at any of the on-airport car parks, details of the arrival and return procedures are listed below:
Arrival Procedure:
An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is in place, so it is essential to ensure you enter the correct vehicle registration when making a booking.
It is advisable to bring a copy of your booking confirmation with you.
On arrival, drive up to the entry barrier and your car registration will be read. A ticket will be automatically issued to you. Make your way to any available space and park your car. Keep this ticket safe, as it will be needed on your return.
If a ticket is not automatically dispensed, press the “Assistance” button and explain to the operator that your vehicle has not been recognised. You will be required to confirm your booking details, including your car registration. A ticket will then be issued. Keep this ticket safe, as it will be needed on your return.
Return Procedure:
Upon return to the airport, proceed to your car and drive to the exit barrier. Insert your ticket to leave and the barrier should raise automatically.
If the barrier does not raise and/or asks for payment, do not insert your credit or debit card into the barrier, as a further payment will be taken. Press the intercom button for assistance and quote your pre-booking reference number.
Arrival Procedure:
An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is in place, so it is essential to ensure you enter the correct vehicle registration when making a booking.
It is advisable to bring a copy of your booking confirmation with you.
On arrival, drive up to the entry barrier and your car registration will be read. A ticket will be automatically issued to you. Make your way to any available space and park your car. Keep this ticket safe, as it will be needed on your return.
If a ticket is not automatically dispensed, press the “Assistance” button and explain to the operator that your vehicle has not been recognised. You will be required to confirm your booking details, including your car registration. A ticket will then be issued. Keep this ticket safe, as it will be needed on your return.
Return Procedure:
Upon return to the airport, proceed to your car and drive to the exit barrier. Insert your ticket to leave and the barrier should raise automatically.
If the barrier does not raise and/or asks for payment, do not insert your credit or debit card into the barrier, as a further payment will be taken. Press the intercom button for assistance and quote your pre-booking reference number.
05 August 2010
Gatwick meet and greet parking company retains ParkMark safer parking award
Gatwick meet and greet parking company Help-Me-Park has successfully retained the Safer Parking Scheme award Parkmark®.
The retention of the award demonstrates that Help-me-park has continued to meet the high standards of the Safer Parking Scheme.
An initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Parkmark® award is added reassurance to the travelling customer that their car will be parked in a fully secure car park whilst they are on holiday.
Mike Bibby (Development Manager – S. East) said “I am very pleased to have been part of working with Mr. McCarthy and the police accredited assessors John Lee and Mike Bessent from Surrey Police resulting in this operation meeting the high standards required to meet Safer Parking accreditation. With no crime recorded over the past twelve months, this creates a safe and non-threatening environment and customers can feel confident in the knowledge their vehicles will be well cared for”.
Many improvements to the CCTV, access control, security lighting and boundary security have been made over the past year as well as to the management practices, staff training and security procedures involved in operating a secure meet and greet parking service and facility.
Sean McCarthy (Operations Director) said “As a premium provider of meet and greet parking services at London Gatwick Airport it is paramount that we offer and are seen to offer a trusted and reliable service to our clients. Having worked closely with the Police and the Safer Parking Scheme to achieve the standards required I would recommend every customer looking for airport parking to check that the car park they use has the Parkmark® accreditation for their peace of mind. There have been too many recent incidences of rogue meet and greet companies parking in supermarket car parks, local roads and industrial estates.”
More information:
The Parkmark® Safer Parking Scheme is an initiative of the Associations of Chief Police Officers aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities. Safer parking status, Park Mark®, is awarded to parking facilities that have met the requirements of a risk assessment conducted by the Police. These requirements mean the parking operator has put in place measures that help to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, thereby doing everything they can to prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime in their parking facility. For customers, using a Park Mark® Safer Parking facility means that the area has been vetted by the Police and has measures in place to create a safe environment.
Help Me Park's Gatwick meet and greet parking can be booked online at www.help-me-park.co.uk or by calling 0845 272 8790
The retention of the award demonstrates that Help-me-park has continued to meet the high standards of the Safer Parking Scheme.
An initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Parkmark® award is added reassurance to the travelling customer that their car will be parked in a fully secure car park whilst they are on holiday.
Mike Bibby (Development Manager – S. East) said “I am very pleased to have been part of working with Mr. McCarthy and the police accredited assessors John Lee and Mike Bessent from Surrey Police resulting in this operation meeting the high standards required to meet Safer Parking accreditation. With no crime recorded over the past twelve months, this creates a safe and non-threatening environment and customers can feel confident in the knowledge their vehicles will be well cared for”.
Many improvements to the CCTV, access control, security lighting and boundary security have been made over the past year as well as to the management practices, staff training and security procedures involved in operating a secure meet and greet parking service and facility.
Sean McCarthy (Operations Director) said “As a premium provider of meet and greet parking services at London Gatwick Airport it is paramount that we offer and are seen to offer a trusted and reliable service to our clients. Having worked closely with the Police and the Safer Parking Scheme to achieve the standards required I would recommend every customer looking for airport parking to check that the car park they use has the Parkmark® accreditation for their peace of mind. There have been too many recent incidences of rogue meet and greet companies parking in supermarket car parks, local roads and industrial estates.”
More information:
The Parkmark® Safer Parking Scheme is an initiative of the Associations of Chief Police Officers aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities. Safer parking status, Park Mark®, is awarded to parking facilities that have met the requirements of a risk assessment conducted by the Police. These requirements mean the parking operator has put in place measures that help to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, thereby doing everything they can to prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime in their parking facility. For customers, using a Park Mark® Safer Parking facility means that the area has been vetted by the Police and has measures in place to create a safe environment.
Help Me Park's Gatwick meet and greet parking can be booked online at www.help-me-park.co.uk or by calling 0845 272 8790
26 July 2010
APCOA wins Gatwick Airport contract
APCOA has been awarded a new four and a half year parking management contract at Gatwick Airport, giving them responsibility for the entire public parking estate at Gatwick including all 32,000 airport parking spaces.
The new contract includes the management of an additional 12,000 parking spaces, bussing and forecourt management for both terminals.
APCOA’s Managing Director Chris Pullen comments: “We are delighted to have been appointed as Gatwick’s single provider of parking management for the public car parks. As the UK’s market leading airport parking operator, we will be bringing our considerable experience and expertise to this very important airport. We look forwards to working closely with Gatwick to further enhance customer service and satisfaction over the coming years. ”
The new contract includes the management of an additional 12,000 parking spaces, bussing and forecourt management for both terminals.
APCOA’s Managing Director Chris Pullen comments: “We are delighted to have been appointed as Gatwick’s single provider of parking management for the public car parks. As the UK’s market leading airport parking operator, we will be bringing our considerable experience and expertise to this very important airport. We look forwards to working closely with Gatwick to further enhance customer service and satisfaction over the coming years. ”
Changes introduced to drop off and pick up at Cardiff Airport
Construction work on a new layout outside Cardiff Airport's terminal building has been completed and new Priority drop & go and Priority pick up areas have come into operation with a charge of £1.
Drop Off Zone Access Plan for Cardiff Airport
Visitors to the Airport will have the option of using the new Priority drop & go and Priority pick up areas outside the terminal building, or a free drop off & pick up area in Long Stay 1 car park, a short distance from the terminal building.
New highway signs have been erected on all approach roads and within the airport site directing visitors to the new parking facilities and providing information regarding the new drop off and pick up options.
The Free drop off & pick up area will be available in the renamed Long Stay 1, formerly the Long Stay 2 car park, and a free special assistance vehicle for passengers with restricted mobility will also be available. The first 20 minutes will be free of charge with the usual parking rates applied thereafter.
Access to the Priority drop & go area in front of the terminal building will be available for up to 10 minutes, at a charge of £1 and 20 minutes for disabled blue badge holders. The Priority drop & go area will be barrier controlled where those wishing to use the facility will simply slot in a £1 coin into the barrier on exiting the area in front of the terminal building.
For the Priority pick up area paying the £1 fee will entitle those picking up passengers 20 minutes in the short stay car park, located close to the terminal building. After 20 minutes parking will be charged at the standard tariff.
As part of the redesign the existing Cardiff airport car parks have been renamed and colour coded.
Drop Off Zone Access Plan for Cardiff Airport
Visitors to the Airport will have the option of using the new Priority drop & go and Priority pick up areas outside the terminal building, or a free drop off & pick up area in Long Stay 1 car park, a short distance from the terminal building.
New highway signs have been erected on all approach roads and within the airport site directing visitors to the new parking facilities and providing information regarding the new drop off and pick up options.
The Free drop off & pick up area will be available in the renamed Long Stay 1, formerly the Long Stay 2 car park, and a free special assistance vehicle for passengers with restricted mobility will also be available. The first 20 minutes will be free of charge with the usual parking rates applied thereafter.
Access to the Priority drop & go area in front of the terminal building will be available for up to 10 minutes, at a charge of £1 and 20 minutes for disabled blue badge holders. The Priority drop & go area will be barrier controlled where those wishing to use the facility will simply slot in a £1 coin into the barrier on exiting the area in front of the terminal building.
For the Priority pick up area paying the £1 fee will entitle those picking up passengers 20 minutes in the short stay car park, located close to the terminal building. After 20 minutes parking will be charged at the standard tariff.
As part of the redesign the existing Cardiff airport car parks have been renamed and colour coded.
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