§ Mrs. GilroyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Department's policy is on use by local authorities of the revenue generated from charges for on-street car parking to pay for heritage projects and tourist facilities; and if he will make a statement. [119998]
§ Mr. HillThe use by local authorities of on-street parking revenue surpluses is governed by section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Briefly, this provides that local authorities may use surpluses for the provision and maintenance of off-street parking facilities but if it appears to the local authority that the provision of further off-street parking provision in their area is unnecessary or undesirable, surpluses may be used for the purpose of meeting the costs of public transport services and highway or road improvement projects. Local authorities may not therefore spend revenue from on-street car parking to pay for heritage projects and tourist facilities.