Airport to introduce barrier-free drop-offs

London Stansted Airport is to introduce an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system that allows drivers to pass through without needing to stop and pay at a barrier.

The technology, currently used at the Dartford Crossing, will be installed at Stansted's Express Set Down (ESD) area in January.

It comes after £1.1bn of government investment was announced in October, allowing the airport to go ahead with an extension.

"We have seen these systems work effectively at other airports and in other settings, such as bridges, toll roads and tunnels, and that is why we are confident it will improve the overall experience for users," said Anita Harrison, customer operations director.

Earlier this month, Stansted said it would be able to handle between 48 and 51 million passengers a year by 2040.

Ms Harrison said the new barrierless system would make drop-offs "quicker and more convenient, reducing driver waiting times and helping improve passenger flows".

She said the recent investment would "deliver wide-ranging benefits at every touch point of a passenger's journey while at the airport".

The charge will be payable by midnight the day after the drop-off.

Users currently pay £7 for a drop-off of up to 15 minutes, or £25 for longer.

Visitors will be able to pay online or via phone, and frequent users, such as taxi drivers, will be able to register for an auto-pay account.

Stansted assured customers that prominent signage would be visible to remind them of the changes, both before and after their introduction in the New Year.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.