Price Rises At Stansted Airport

Short stay parking at Stansted airport has increased by 50% over the last week to an incredible £29.50 per day amid calls for season tickets to be made available. Cheap Stansted airport parking seems to be ever more difficult to find - especially in these times of economic downturn and there's a rising trend of passengers using valet parking stansted for their journey despite people being hard up.

Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP for Saffron Walden, said: "I do think there should be a season ticket scheme and that the daily prices are too high for people in the local community." Local commuters are avoiding the increased parking fees by travelling further afield to find cheaper parking elsewhere. An airport spokesman said that an annual season ticket was being considered as an option but said: "It is important to ensure there is space for those picking up passengers from the airport." Nick Barton, Stansted's new managing director, said this month his aim was "to rebuild the airport's relationship with its community" after plans to expand the site were shelved.

Stansted airport does support its local community having donated £312,726 to charities and local groups from the Airport’s three community funds in 2011. Included in over 200 organisations which benefitted last year are:

• The Hatfield Broad Oak Village Green which received £50000 towards a project transforming grazing land into sports and recreational facilities.
• The Young Concern trust – Harlow, which received £1500 towards a new support and development program for primary school children.
• Saffron Walden County High School – received £3000 towards an outdoor classroom including a pond, wildlife garden and teaching area.
• Braintree Foyer’s Look Up To Yourself received £1500 towards a basketball project for homeless people in Essex.

The community funds also supported many other youth employment schemes, hospices and disability groups.

Marcella M’Rabety, Stansted Airport's Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, said: “We are all aware these are very difficult economic times, and that the aviation sector continues to be affected by the downturn, so we are delighted to be able to support so many organisations and continue our commitment to the local communities surrounding the airport.”