GRIFFITHS Farrans JV has been awarded with a contract to deliver a public transport hub at Bristol Airport.

This will be the North Somerset airport's biggest capital project ever, with a £60m investment.

A public transport interchange hub and a multi-storey car park will be created to enhance services and improve accessibility for holidaymakers.

In May, enabling works started to divert services. Work has now begun to construct a new access ramp to the existing car parks.

The public transport interchange hub will provide access for coaches, buses and more on the top level of the car park. It is hoped that this will double the number of bus and coach bays to 16.

There will also be a dedicated drop off and pick up zone.

The multi-storey car park, which will adjoin the existing one, will also provide 2,000 new spaces.

The terminal will be accessed via a glazed pedestrian bridge link on the same level. 

Dave Lees, CEO, Bristol Airport, 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."

Simon Dunn, pre-construction director, Griffiths Farrans JV, said: “Griffiths and Farrans have worked in partnership with Bristol Airport and fellow CRH business Tarmac to deliver the optimum solution for the airport, with a keen focus on sustainability.

"Over 100,000 tonnes of excavated material will be processed into suitable material for use in the project. All asphalt materials removed from the existing car park will also be processed for re-use within the asphalt material that will be provided for the perimeter roads."

Glenn Gilmore, regional director, Griffiths Farrans JV, said: “We are looking forward to getting started with this exciting project which will play a significant role in the step change of Bristol Airport as it elevates its offering to support new air links and increase inbound tourism.

"The vision for the future is one with sustainability, safety and enhanced customer experiences at the heart of it."