AUTHOR and journalist Muriel Gray has joined in the increasing backlash to Glasgow Airport’s introduction of a drop-off charge.
The airport’s new system means that motorists who could previously park for free now have to pay £2 for a stay of up to 10 minutes.
Since its introduction, the charge has come under fire from travellers for causing delays and adding extra expense to a trip to the airport.
Today, Gray tweeted: “Proud are you @GLA_Airport? Well £2 drop off, huge security queues and empty sandwich shelves you’re embarrassing the rest of us.”
Proud are you @GLA_Airport ?
Well £2 drop off, huge security queues and empty sandwich shelves you're embarrassing the rest of us. pic.twitter.com/CqpSEmUu68— Muriel Gray (@ArtyBagger) May 3, 2017
Want to avoid #glasgowairport outrageous £2 drop off fee? Get dropped at the Holiday Inn reception and walk across the road. You're welcome.
— Muriel Gray (@ArtyBagger) May 3, 2017
The airport’s Twitter account issued an apology for the delays.
We reported on Sunday about concerns over the charge, brought in by airport bosses after ‘abuse’ of the previous free drop-off area.
A petition has since been set up by Paisley man John Simm, which has attracted over 11,000 signatures.
MSP Neil Bibby has also called for the charges to be scrapped.
The Scottish Labour transport spokesperson told Renfrewshire 24: “It is clear this move does not have public support. Many of my constituents are on low incomes and this just looks like a blatant money making exercise by the airport.
“The only way to get to Glasgow Airport is by road so people will continue to travel to the airport by car and the airport must know this. I can see how this ‘drop off tax’ will make the airport a lot of money but fail to see this will tackle the congestion issues.
“People drop off friends and family at the airport as an act of kindness but are now going to be charged £2 for the privilege – it’s wrong particularly when there is little alternative.”
He added: “Glasgow Airport should immediately abandon this drop off tax which is fleecing its own customers and backing up the motorway at busy times.
“If airport bosses want to introduce a charge they should wait until there are other affordable and convenient ways for people to get to the airport.”
Glasgow Airport apologised yesterday after vehicles were queued back on the M8 at the airport junction due to ‘unusually high’ volumes of traffic.
The airport said they were working to resolve the issues.
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