HL Deb 06 February 2002 vol 631 cc96-7WA
Lord Bowness

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they would support proposals to levy an extra charge upon cars using Heathrow Airport. [HL2545]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Government's White PaperA New Deal for Transport suggested that one of the possible sources for funding local improvements to surface access to airports is for airports to levy a surcharge on car parking charges.

Heathrow Airport already imposes an additional levy on parking charges, the proceeds of which help to support bus services and provide free travel around the airport. It has also paid for the M4 spur bus lane.

It is primarily for BAA to consider whether there is a case for levying charges on the use of its private airport road system at Heathrow. Charges for the use of public roads in the vicinity of Heathrow Airport would be a matter for the Mayor of London and the other local authorities concerned.