HC Deb 18 November 1998 vol 319 cc591-4W
Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what consultation there has been with(a) local residents and (b) other members of the public by the Royal Parks Agency about its plan to extend parking charges to weekends and bank holidays in (i) Hyde Park and (ii) Regent's Park; [58863]

(2) if he will list the organisations which the Royal Parks Agency consulted this year about its plan to extend parking charges to weekends and bank holidays in Hyde Park and Regent's Park; [58864]

(3) if he will publish the submissions from the organisations consulted by the Royal Parks Agency about its plan to extend parking charges to weekends and bank holidays in Hyde Park and Regent's Park; [58862]

(4) to which other Royal Parks in London the Royal Parks Agency has plans to extend parking charges at weekends and bank holidays; [58865]

(5) how much extra revenue he estimates will be raised by the Royal Parks Agency by extending parking charges to weekends and bank holidays in (a) Hyde Park and (b) Regent's Park; and if he will make a statement on how this money is planned to be spent; [58867]

(6) what assessment the Royal Parks Agency has made of parking levels in (i) Hyde Park and (ii) Regent's Park at weekends and bank holidays; and if he will publish the figures upon which it based its assessment; [58866]

(7) if he will list the dates of all correspondence between his Department and the Royal Parks Agency about the extension of parking charges to weekends and bank holidays in (i) Hyde Park and (ii) Regent's Park; and if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library. [58965]

Mr. Alan Howarth

[holding answer 9 November 1998]: Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Viviene Robertson to Mr. Richard Ottoway, dated 18 November 1998: In the absence of the Chief Executive, David Welch, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport has asked me to reply to your parliamentary questions about extending car parking charges in the Royal Parks to weekends and Bank Holidays. 40 Other Royal Parks in London to which it is planned to extend parking charges at weekends and Bank Holidays The Agency is looking at the possibility of introducing car parking charges, including at weekends and Bank Holidays, in Richmond, Bushey and Greenwich Parks as part of a wider traffic management programme. It is in line with the recommendations of the Royal Parks Review Group and the Government's policy on traffic and parking in London. We will consult local authorities, local MPs and other interested parties on our proposals and take account of their views. 41 The dates of all correspondence between the Department for Culture Media and Sport and the Royal Parks Agency about the extension of parking charges at weekends and Bank Holidays in Hyde Park and Regent's Park The Royal Parks Agency originally sought ministerial approval to extend the car parking charges in Hyde Park and Regent's Park on 11 March 1998. The Department responded on 31 May. After consulting interested parties, the Agency submitted a revised proposal on 10 June; the Department approved the proposal and gave permission on 14 July for amending regulations to be drawn up. On 17 September the Agency sought approval to lay the amending regulations before Parliament. On 20 October we wrote again to the Department to propose that the regulations should come into force on 1 February 1999. The Department agreed on 29 October. I have arranged for copies of this correspondence to be placed in the Library. 42 Consultation the Agency has had with local residents and other members of the public The Agency consulted local MPs, local interest groups, including the Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and the Friends of Regent's Park, and the neighbouring local authorities as representatives of the public. The original proposals were revised as a result of their responses. 43 The extra revenue it is estimated will be raised by extending parking charges to weekends and Bank Holidays in Hyde Park and Regent's Park and how this money is planned to be spent I cannot say how much additional revenue the new arrangements will raise but we anticipate it could be in the region of £l00,000-£200,000. But it will depend on the weather and the take up and turnover of parking spaces. The 4 hour limit that applies during the week will not apply at weekends and Bank Holidays. All income derived from car parking is retained by the Agency and goes towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Parks. 44 Publication of the submissions from the organisations consulted by the Royal Parks Agency about the plan to extend parking charges to weekends and Bank Holidays in Hyde Park and Regent's Park The organisations consulted by the Royal Parks about the proposal to extend car parking charges to weekends and Bank Holidays were not advised at the time of consultation that their responses might be made public. It would be impracticable to seek permission from each of them to publish their submissions, but I have attached a list of those whom we consulted. 45 The assessment the Royal Parks Agency has made of parking levels in Hyde Park and Regent's Park at weekends and Bank Holidays, and the figures upon which the assessment is based Our annual visitor surveys shows that less than 10% of visitors travel to Hyde Park and Regent's Park by car. It is our experience that car parking spaces are fully occupied, indeed over-subscribed at weekends, particularly when the weather is fine. 46 The organisations which the Royal Parks Agency consulted about its plan to extend parking charges to weekends and Bank Holidays in Hyde Park and Regent's Park A list of the organisations consulted by the Royal Parks Agency is attached.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what duty the Royal Parks Agency has to consult local authorities when planning temporary road closures in the Royal Parks; [59778]

(2) if he will make it his practice to publish details of leases granted by the Royal Parks Agency to private companies of property in the Royal Parks. [59777]

Mr. Alan Howarth

Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for replies to be given.

Letter from David Welch to Dr. Jenny Tonge, dated 18 November 1998: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what duty the Royal Parks Agency has to consult local authorities about temporary road closures in the parks. The Agency has no specific duty to consult local authorities over temporary road closures in the Royal Parks. However, the Royal Parks Agency consider themselves to be under an obligation, as good neighbours, to inform local authorities at an early stage of any closures that may be planned.

Letter from David Welch to Dr. Jenny Tonge, dated 18 November 1998: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking him to publish details of leases granted by the Royal Parks Agency to private companies of property in the parks. Details of these leases are commercial transactions and to publish this information would breach the companies' confidentiality, and compromise the Agency's ability to let property on commercial terms in future.