The tiny UK airport that is refusing to allow passengers drop-offs outside its terminal

Drivers have been banned from dropping off or picking up passengers from a tiny UK airport.

Until now the road outside Isle of Man Airport has been open to all traffic but now drivers have been banned from stopping outside the terminal after a "near miss" between a customer and a bus.

But buses, patient transport vehicles, taxis and blue badge holders will still be allowed to use the middle lane for collections and drop-offs.

A spokesman for the airport the decision had "not been taken lightly but the safety and security of all customers and staff" were the "top priorities".

Changes came into force at 6am this morning with barriers and security staff policing the middle lane.

An airport spokesman said staff would still be allowed to use the middle lane outside the building, but all others being drop-offs would have to take place in the main airport car park.

That facility offers between 15 and 30 minutes of free parking, with that extended to one hour for blue badge holders.

It comes amid nationwide anger at increasing airport parking and drop-off charges.

The so-called “worst offender” is Manchester Airport which charges £5 for five minutes of parking, while anyone staying longer than 10 minutes faces a cost of £25.

Stansted Airport has a slightly longer grace period, allowing drivers to stay for 15 minutes for £7, although any longer than the allotted time costs £25.

Drivers are also being warned of Gatwick and Luton Airport, with both airports charging £5 for a 10 minute stop, with Gatwick charging an additional £1 per minute up to 20 minutes.

Luton charges motorists an additional £1 per minute after 10 minutes.