Changes to airport drop-off zone payment rules

Drivers will have to pay online or on the phone after the barriers are scrapped

Barriers at the exits to Manchester Airport's pick-up and drop-off zones are to be removed.

The airport said it was switching to a new barrierless system next week, and that it would remove the need for people to stop as they exited and would help to reduce congestion.

An airport spokesperson said people would also be able to avoid being charged extra from having to wait to leave the zones.

The barriers will be taken away between Wednesday 26 March and Wednesday 2 April.

Everything you need to know about the changes

Sue West, from Manchester Airport, previously told the BBC that the move would "speed up the process and make it feel seamless".

The new technology at one of the world's busiest airports will involve automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).

This system is already in use at a number of other UK airports and in some bridges and tunnels.

Cameras will identify cars by their registration number and automatically record who has used the pick-up or drop-off zone.

Rather than stopping at a barrier and paying as they leave the area, drivers will leave and they then have to pay the charge by midnight the following day, either online or over the phone.

The barrierless system will be in place at the pick-up and drop-off zones in all three of the airport's terminals as well as at the train, tram and bus station.

The new system will go live in a phased approach at each location between 26 March and 2 April.

Motorists will be advised on the steps they need to take via signs on approach to each zone.

There will not be any change to the existing charges.

Frequent users, such as taxi drivers, will be able to set up an auto-pay account.

People will be able to pay by visiting pay.manchesterairport.co.uk or by calling 0345 901 3318.

Both the phone line and the website for paying the charges will go live shortly before the barriers are removed and will be clearly signposted at the zones, the airport added.

The changes are aimed at cutting build-ups of traffic outside terminals

Anyone who misses the deadline to pay under the new system will face a £60 penalty, which could rise to £100 if the sum is not paid within 14 days.

The current charges for drop-off zones in place at each of the airport's three terminals are £5 for a five-minute stay, £6.20 for 10 minutes, and a £25.00 overstay charge.

Meanwhile fees at pick-up zones range from £6.20 to £8.00 for stays of up to 30 minutes.