(1)The charging authority or the charging authorities (acting jointly) may at any time before an order making, varying or revoking a charging scheme under this Part is made, consult other persons about the charging scheme, variation or revocation.
(2)The charging authority or the charging authorities (acting jointly)—
(a)may cause an inquiry to be held in relation to a charging scheme under this Part, or the variation or revocation of such a scheme, and
(b)may appoint the person or persons by whom such an inquiry is to be held.
(3)The appropriate national authority may at any time—
(a)before an order making or varying a charging scheme under this Part (other than a trunk road charging scheme) is made, or
(b)(where such an order has to be confirmed) before it is confirmed,
consult other persons, or require the charging authority or authorities to consult other persons, about the charging scheme or variation.
(4)The appropriate national authority—
(a)may cause an inquiry to be held in relation to a charging scheme under this Part (other than a trunk road charging scheme) or the variation of such a scheme, and
(b)may appoint the person or persons by whom such an inquiry is to be held.
(5)In the case of a joint local-London charging scheme—
(a)the Greater London Authority may, at any time before an order making, varying or revoking the charging scheme is confirmed by that Authority, consult other persons, or require the charging authorities to consult other persons, about the charging scheme, variation or revocation, and
(b)the Secretary of State shall not cause an inquiry to be held in relation to the charging scheme, or the variation of the charging scheme, or appoint the person or persons by whom such an inquiry is to be held, without the consent of the Greater London Authority.
(6)Subsections (2) and (3) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (witnesses at local inquiries) apply in relation to any inquiry held by virtue of this section.
(7)Where an inquiry is held by virtue of this section in relation to a charging scheme, or the variation or revocation of such a scheme, the costs of the inquiry shall be paid—
(a)in the case of a trunk road charging scheme made by virtue of section 167(2)(b), by the local traffic authority which requested the making of the scheme (or Transport for London, if it did), and
(b)in any other case, by the charging authority or authorities;
and the parties at the inquiry shall bear their own costs.