BRISTOL Airport has announced this morning that it will invest over £60 million into new and improved facilities at the site.

A new 'public transport interchange hub' and a multi-storey car park will be built at the airport as part of its largest capital project ever.

The new investments will aim to "enhance services and accessibility for customers whether arriving or departing from Bristol Airport".

Work has already begun in front of the terminal and within the Northside Car Park.

The project is part of Bristol Airport's expansion plan which hopes to allow 12 million passengers per year to use the airport.

Bus and coach bays are set to increase from six to sixteen due to the new public transport interchange hub, meaning Bristol Airport will become one of the region's largest coach and bus interchanges.

It will be situated on top of the new multi-storey car park, which will also house a new and enlarged dedicated drop-off and pick-up location for family, friends, or taxis.

The car park itself will provide over 2,000 more parking spaces, and will be adjoined to the exisiting multi-storey.

Somerset County Gazette: Work has begun to build a new multi-storey car park and public transport interchange hub.Work has begun to build a new multi-storey car park and public transport interchange hub. (Image: Bristol Airport)

Airport users will be able to access the terminal from the car park via "a glazed pedestrian bridge link", which will replace the current route involving steps and slopes.

The multi-million pound investment will also provide an improved internal road system, as well as customer enhancements within the new car park such as waiting rooms and rest facilities.

David Lees, Bristol Airport CEO, said: "This project is transformational for our customers.

"It is the largest single capital investment project since the terminal opened in 2000 and will take 18 months to complete.

"As with all large-scale projects, they are complex and the development work will need to be phased to accommodate the normal day to day airport operations. 

"During the project, customers will see several temporary changes taking place, including temporary relocation of some car parks and changes to internal roads layouts.  

"We will continue to keep customers informed of the changes via directional signage, customer messaging on car park bookings, the website and on social media.”

The new development is said to be projected to create "thousands" of new jobs over the coming years, as the airport progresses towards a goal of becoming "net zero" by 2030.