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London's Gatwick airport is to undergo changes to its picking up and dropping off policies at its South Terminal.

In a bid to reduce congestion and speed up traffic in the area surrounding the terminal, the airport's owners BAA are to implement a new scheme.

From 20 June, private vehicles at the terminal to pick passengers up will go to the short stay car parks and will be charged £1 for a 15-minute stay.

Vehicles dropping passengers off will use the Lower Forecourt and a strict no-waiting policy will be introduced.

However, the number of spaces for dropping passengers off will be doubled in an effort to speed the entire process up.

BAA hopes that the measures will reduce traffic congestion, improve journey times to and from Gatwick and help to reduce unnecessary CO2 emissions.

'Primarily we wish to ensure the forecourts are less congested and managed in a more effective manner, with safety and security of our passengers and staff being our number one priority,' said managing director of BAA Gatwick Andy Flower.

'We are also committed to improving the roads around South Terminal in terms of making traffic flow easier at peak times, with additional signage improving the way finding for passengers."

BAA also intends to promote the use of public transport over personal vehicles.

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