54.—(1) A motorway scheme or a protected road scheme made under section 47 may include provision for a service area.

( 2 ) ( a ) Only classes of vehicles prescribed under section 43 (3) shall have access from a service area to a motorway.

( b ) Save as is provided in a protected road scheme approved by the Minister under section 49, all types of traffic and classes of vehicles shall have access from a service area to a protected road.

( 3 ) ( a ) Where a motorway scheme or a protected road scheme approved by the Minister under section 49 includes provision for a service area—

(i) the Authority (in the case of a national road), or

(ii) a road authority, with the consent of the Authority (in the case of a national road) or the consent of the Minister (in the case of a regional road or local road),

may—

(I) provide or operate in a service area facilities or services for persons and vehicles using a motorway or a protected road,

(II) make an agreement with any person whereby that person (either by himself or jointly with the Authority or the road authority as the case may be) provides or operates in a service area facilities or services for persons and vehicles using a motorway or a protected road.

( b ) A service area on a motorway or a protected road shall not be provided or operated save in accordance with paragraph (a).

( 4 ) ( a ) The Minister may make regulations—

(i) for the purposes of this section,

(ii) providing for the application of moneys accruing to a road authority in respect of the exercise of its functions under this section.

( b ) Any person who contravenes a regulation under this section which is deemed to be a penal regulation shall be guilty of an offence.