Plans for new airport layout revealed

Thursday 13 June 2019

Work to create a 30-metre "no traffic" zone outside Jersey Airport will start later this year if the plans put forward by Ports of Jersey are approved.

Under the proposals, designated pick-up and drop-off zones will be created with only authorised vehicles such as buses, coaches and taxis being permitted to drop off/pick up outside the main terminal entrance doors, allowing the creation of an open-air plaza.

A new roundabout will be created on the access road leading to the airport to separate the traffic going to the drop-off and pick-up zones. 

Passengers will get dropped off next to the staff car park while the pick-up zone will be near the existing arrivals building.

The parking currently used for arrivals will be turned into a coach and taxi car park. 

Pictured: An aerial overview of the airport forecourt, with the new roundabout in the top right corner, the drop off in the bottom right, and the pick-up zones on the left.

The work will be phased to adapt to the overall Future Airport Redevelopment programme. In phase one of the project, bus and taxi pick-up points outside the existing arrivals terminal will remain unchanged. 

Alan Merry, the Acting Group CEO for Ports of Jersey, said they are considering a 20-minute free zone for islanders picking up passengers.

The changes would allow the creation of a new plaza area in front of the passenger terminal, which could be covered by canopies.

Display screens will be installed to provide 'real time' passenger information for the plaza and the bus stop.

Pictured: The changes will create an open air plaza in front of the terminal.

Subject to planning permission and the approval of the POJ Board, work is expected to start this autumn, with the new layout being ready for the 2020 summer season.

POJ refused to give any indications as to the budget of the reconfiguration programme as a tender process is due to start soon. Mr Merry however explained that they have tried to keep costs down by using as much of the existing footprint of the car park as possible. 

No car parking spaces will be lost in the reconfiguration as an access road currently used only by firefighters will be incorporated into the scheme.

The proposals aim to bring Jersey Airport in line with requirements from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Department of Transport for all airports in the ‘Common Travel Area’ within the UK. 

Pictured: In the future, only authorised vehicles such as buses, coaches and taxis being permitted to drop off/pick up outside the main terminal.

The need for a 30-metre 'no traffic' exclusion zone stems from the terrorist attack at Glasgow Airport in 2007 when a vehicle attempted to access the passenger terminal building laden with explosives with the intention of detonating them.

Despite legislation coming into force soon after, Ports of Jersey has had, to date, an exemption based on a clear commitment that this would be implemented as part of its Future Airport redevelopment plans. 

Mr Merry said: "It will give a completely different experience for our passengers and improve safety quite bit for us as the crossings are dangerous."

POJ is seeking the public's opinion on the proposals and will present the plans at St. Peter's Hall on 19 June between 18:30 and 20:00. Members of the public are welcome to come along and discuss the plans with the project team.