Long Ashton Park n Ride for the balloon fiesta?

[gmaz]

Is it possible to use the Park n Ride to access the Balloon Fiesta?

Last time I paid for the official parking it took me 2 hours to get out, so looking for alternatives.

[hairy v]

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids...

[gmaz]

Thanks but that doesn’t answer the question

[K50 DEL]

I was looking at the same thing earlier.
As near as I can figure it there's nothing officially stopping you from parking there and not actually using the P+R bus however it doesn't open early enough for the morning glows.

Previous years there have been some enterprising farmers who've opened their fields alongside that same piece of road and charged £5 for the day.

I only ever go to the dawn ascent as I'm not interested in the commercialisation of what used to be a fantastic balloon show and this year I'm going to head for the downs and try to get some pics with the bridge as backdrop.

[Teamred]

I pondered on using the P&R too, but it shuts (gates locked) at 10:20pm. If you ask me shutting the bridge off is a purely a move to force people to pay to park on site.

[gmaz]

I'm thinking of using it in the morning, It's open at 5am so hopefully it should not be too busy when the first flights ascend.

[Red9zero]

There is a farm at that end of the village that opens up a field for parking. Entrance is down the side of the Angel, by the church. Park and ride is a joke and there are no shuttle buses this year.

[Red9zero]

Teamred said:

I pondered on using the P&R too, but it shuts (gates locked) at 10:20pm. If you ask me shutting the bridge off is a purely a move to force people to pay to park on site.

Supposedly it was due to the weight of a bridge full of cars and people and any oscillations caused by them. I think your suggestion is closer to the truth. That and anything the council can do to cause a bit more traffic chaos.

[K50 DEL]

gmaz said:

I'm thinking of using it in the morning, It's open at 5am so hopefully it should not be too busy when the first flights ascend.

Have the hours changed then?
Streetview shows that it opens at 05:30 which I don't think will be enough time to walk over to watch the dawn ascents.

[juice]

Red9zero said:

Teamred said:

I pondered on using the P&R too, but it shuts (gates locked) at 10:20pm. If you ask me shutting the bridge off is a purely a move to force people to pay to park on site.

Supposedly it was due to the weight of a bridge full of cars and people and any oscillations caused by them. I think your suggestion is closer to the truth. That and anything the council can do to cause a bit more traffic chaos.

Wouldn't the observatory be a good alternative ?

[Red9zero]

juice said:

Wouldn't the observatory be a good alternative ?

Should be. I will be walking our dog in LA, so I will either see them flying overhead (occasionally landing in the field) or dots in the distance going the other way. They are quite a regular sight here in the summer on a nice, early morning.

[gmaz]

K50 DEL said:

Have the hours changed then?
Streetview shows that it opens at 05:30 which I don't think will be enough time to walk over to watch the dawn ascents.

This page says 5:00

https://travelwest.info/park-ride/long-ashton-park...

[bristolbaron]

Last time around we parked in this one (a fiver from memory).

It wasn’t busy as it was the year they were forecast rain so did a last minute Thursday morning launch, which turned out to be the only one of the weekend.

I’m expecting this year to be mental as the first one back since covid, it’s been a long wait!

[K50 DEL]

I've a feeling I've parked there before as well, but this year it's £20 a car not the £5 I paid previously

https://ashtongateparking.com/

[Red9zero]

I haven't been past for a few days, so not seen the sign, but the one at the end of LA next to the Angel is normally £5. Just across the road to the gate too.

[Red9zero]

Car park by the Ashton is open and charging £10. I assume the one by the Angel is the same.

Link to when and if the balloons are going up

https://www.mjballooning.com/live-flight-updates.h...

Sounds like they will be heading towards Nailsea tonight unless the wind changes.

[rustbuster]

for info, the Long Ashton P&R gates are not being locked untill midnight. Thurs and Sat

looks like it's not official parking for the event though.

[Red9zero]

No mass ascent tonight

[K50 DEL]

Red9zero said:

No mass ascent tonight

Any reason given?

[Red9zero]

K50 DEL said:

Red9zero said:

No mass ascent tonight

Any reason given?

Too hot and the wind is blowing towards Avonmouth, where there aren't many landing sites before they are over the Bristol Channel. Looking good for the morning though.