Region on terror alert

Police formed a ring of steel around Birmingham Airport as security reached new heightened levels. Cars have been banned from using the drop off and pick up points directly outside terminals.

Police with automatic machine guns set up road blocks and check points at strategic points in and around the complex.

Warning signs have also been put up informing passengers of the heightened security and the need to park on short and long stay car parks. Police also set up check points to stop and search passengers if they needed to. The airport has been on high alert over the weekend, but today passengers were going about their business as normal.

No flights have been delayed as a result of the heightened terror alert and passengers said they were happy with the emergency measures.

Buses and taxis were the only vehicles allowed to use the inner roads at the airport. All other traffic was directed straight to the car parks.

Traffic was today stretching back as far as a bridge over the A45 as staff put controls on all those entering the airport.

Airport authorities said every passenger would make their flight but urged people to leave early to ensure they could make their way through the extra security.

John Sutton, from Daventry, was preparing for a short break in Paris with wife Amanda and their children Leigha, aged three and Ryan, one. He said: "I'm not concerned at all. You just have to abide by these rules and everything will be OK. More security just means it is safer for passengers."

Joan and Zoe Haynes, formerly of Derbyshire, were returning to their home in Spain after a three-day holiday in Birmingham.

Joan said: "It's comforting to see all the security. Everyone has just got to do as they're told. It's not a problem to us.

"It's quite frightening because we do not see anything like this in Spain, we only read about it in newspapers."

Simon Trewin, from Derby, arrived at the airport today to pick up business colleagues from Finland.

He said: "It's not been a problem. I was quite surprised. I was expecting to queue so I came early, but there's no one here."

Moe Desai, from Coventry, landed this morning after a break in Dubai. He said: "I found out about the security alert when I landed.

"My wife has had to park on a short stay car park to pick me up. It's worth a bit of inconvenience if the airport is safer."

Taxi driver Martin Darby, from Newton Chauffeur Services, Newton Street, West Bromwich, faced problems dropping off customers flying out of the airport on Sunday.

Mr Derby said he had to park at the coach park and customers had to walk about 500 yards to the terminal building.

He said: "Things should be better today because we are allowed 10 minutes to drop people off at the short stay car park, opposite the terminal building."

Taxis collecting returning passengers must park up on one of the multi-storey car parks and get travellers to meet them.

"It's obviously inconvenient for our customers but I feel it is necessary at these times," he added.

Vehicles were diverted away from the drop-off point at the front of the airport to a short stay car park, where they were allowed 10 minutes free parking.

There were also queues on the way out of the airport.

At Wolverhampton and Birmingham railway stations, staff were being told to be on alert for any suspicious activity.

Some litter bins have been removed and a terrorist hotline has been set up for them to report any suspicious behaviour.

Although efforts were being centred on larger stations, staff at smaller stations were also being extra vigilant.

Ged Burgess, from Central Trains, said train stations had never been removed from high alert since the July 7 attacks two years ago.

"British Transport Police is probably the most experienced force in Britain when it comes to dealing with terrorism and we have obviously followed their advice to concentrate on the bigger stations like Wolverhampton and Birmingham," he said.

"The smaller stations like Cannock and Rugeley tend to be very quiet except during the mornings and evenings and staff are briefed on vigilance and have CCTV as well as a terrorist hotline."

Phil Bateman, spokesman for Travel West Midlands, said all bus and Midland Metro staff would continue to be vigilant in light of the latest threat.

He said: "We work closely with West Midlands Police through our safer travel initiative which allows us to take account of levels of alert that are taking place.

"We are, as always, obeying police instructions to be aware and be vigilant. All of our vehicles have radio control which gives us quick access to police. We have a lot of experience from working in these situations because of the various alerts over the years through to the more recent threat of terrorists to Birmingham and the West Midlands."

Mr Bateman added: "There is nothing we are doing that is specific to the latest threat, we have a tried and trusted response that is always in place."

Keith Myatt, of Staffordshire-based Arriva Buses, said all drivers were trained to deal with a terrorist incident and have been briefed to be vigilant.

Posters on buses also ask passengers to look out for any abandoned bags or suspect packages and report them to the driver.

Staffordshire Police told Cannock Chase District Council to be vigilant in watching the CCTV in the town centre, which includes the council-run bus stations in Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford.

Motorists using New Street Station in Birmingham have been stopped from dropping off or picking up passengers. Police have cordoned off the station forecourt to private cars and only black hackney cabs and cars carrying disabled passengers are being allowed through.

Officers were today on alert at the busy railway station used by 100,000 passengers a day but rail chiefs say there were no significant delays on the trains.

Network Rail spokesman Ben Herbert said: "Services are fairly normal today with no noticeable effect on train times.

"The only inconvenience to passengers is that private cars, including taxis, are not allowed through the barriers so only black cabs and blue-badge holders are allowed through to pick up or drop off."

He said the measures were brought in yesterday afternoon and would continue until further notice.

Some roads around the station were also affected, with the road tunnel leading from New Street Station to the Bull Ring and Moor Street Station also closed to private cars.

More reports and analysis in Monday's Express & Star.