280.Subsection (2) amends section 176 of the TA 2000 to allow the appropriate national authority in England and Wales to regulate the manner in which equipment installed as part of a charging scheme is used. This supplements the existing power to make regulations to approve standards for such equipment. Regulations made under the new section 176(2)(b) could, for example:
specify standard data formats so that equipment installed or provided by one charging scheme is compatible with similar equipment installed or provided by another;
specify unique numbering systems for items of equipment, to avoid duplication of identification numbers between different schemes; or
set common standards for data encryption and security.
281.The effect of subsection (3) is to prevent the use of equipment in connection with a charging scheme other than in accordance with regulations made under the new section 176(2)(b).
282.Subsections (4) to (8) amend paragraph 29 of Schedule 23 to the GLA Act 1999. The amendments to paragraph 29(1) allow the Greater London Authority to make directions relating to the use of equipment in connection with charging schemes made under that Act. The insertion of paragraph 29(3A) and (3B) allows the Secretary of State to give notice to the Greater London Authority that its directions regarding the use of equipment in connection with a charging scheme in London are incompatible with regulations made under the new section 176(2)(b) of the TA 2000, and that this incompatibility is detrimental to persons resident in England outside Greater London. It also provides that, where such notice has been given, the equipment may no longer be used in connection with a charging scheme except with the permission of the Secretary of State.