§ Lord Sefton of Garstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they still adhere to the principle that no charges should be made when motorists use motorway service areas either to picnic or to use toilets, as promised at the time of the disposal of service areas: and whether they will take steps to ensure that no restrictions will be placed on motorists using such parking areas. [HL434]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)It has been a requirement for many years that all motorway service areas (MSAs) should provide, free of charge, both toilets and a picnic area. They must also provide free parking for up to two hours, though operators have a long-standing right to charge for longer stays. Enforcement does not depend on government ownership of MSA freeholds and we have no plans to alter the existing requirements either in conjunction with the sale of freeholds or for any other reason.