To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has provided to private contractors who operate motorway service stations on their parking charges. (270233)

Department for Transport Circular 1/2008, published on 2 April 2008, sets out the Department's policy on service areas and other roadside facilities on motorways and all purpose trunk roads in England.

Under the circular, signed service areas on motorways and all purpose trunk roads in England are required to provide free parking for up to two hours for all vehicle types. The circular allows service area operators to charge for parking after the initial two hour period.

A copy of circular 01/2008 is available on the Department's website and can be accessed using the following web link:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pqr/roads/network/policy