ANDY Murray’s formidable mum has fired a volley over a Scottish airport’s £1 drop-off charge, branding the fee a “disgrace”.
Judy Murray lashed out after Edinburgh Airport became the first north of the border to scrap free dropping off at the terminal.
She complained on her Twitter feed today: “Watching Rip Off Britain…What about the £1 drop off charge at Edinburgh Airport? Disgrace.”
It is understood Judy Murray fell foul of the charge during a trip to London yesterday to watch youngsters practising their tennis skills.
Like all passengers, Dunblane-based Murray was left with the choice of paying the “fast track” charge or being dropped at the free zone at least 10 minutes’ walk away.
Murray’s Twitter rant has reignited the row over the “money-grabbing” charge.
Tory MSP Gavin Brown has already gathered 6,000 signatures for his petition to get the airport’s owners, BAA, to scrap the charge.
He said today: “Judy Murray is absolutely right – the drop off charge is a disgrace.
“BAA failed to consult passengers and then ignored complaints from residents, businesses and other organisations across Scotland.
“I encourage everyone to sign the petition at www.dropoffripoff.com.”
Edinburgh cabbies are angry about the drop-off charge because they are not presently allowed to add it to their fare.
Murray Fleming, secretary of Central Cabs, welcomed Murray’s high-profile intervention in the row.
He said: “She is a member of the public…I can’t see any member of the public favouring the charge when it was not there before.
“I think the charge is grossly unfair because cabbies are having to absorb this change.”
Taxi drivers have demanded that the local council to let them add the extra £1 to their fare rather than take an effective pay cut.
Insiders at Edinburgh Airport say they have invested £1m in the scheme and have no plans to drop it.
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “Those dropping off at Edinburgh Airport have a choice between a free drop off area and the fast track area.”
He said traffic congestion at the airport had “almost disappeared” since the new arrangement were introduced. “Feedback from those actually using the airport has been positive,” he said.
Murray, who uses the Twitter name Judmoo, has almost 1,300 followers.
Murray is the Lawn Tennis Association’s talent and performance manager for Scotland as well as being part of Andy Murray’s coaching team.
Her steely determination is thought to have been key in helping Andy and his brother, Jamie, both make it as tennis professionals.
One commentator wrote recently: Every time I see Judy Murray’s punching-the-air routine, face contorted with furious intensity, my blood chills a little…it is hard not to conclude that…her tennis elbows will have been sharpened to the sort of point that could take an opponent’s eye out.”
Judy Murray was not available for comment.
