Annual Report 1998

6. Rail Working Group

Chairman

Members

Observers

Secretariat

Report

One of the most important areas of the Group's work this year was to work closely with the Department in finalizing the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 and Rail Vehicle (Exemption Applications) Regulations 1998 under the Disability Discrimination Act l995 (DDA). The Regulations were approved by the Secretary of State and came into force on 1 November 1998. They apply to all new rolling stock entering service from
1 January 1999.

The Group is particularly pleased to see these Regulations which are the result of years of work by members of the Group and the Mobility Unit at the Department and represent broad agreement between the railway industry, disabled people and the DETR. This is the first time many of the design features on new rolling stock in the UK have been regulated in this way.

Towards the end of the year disabled members of the Group gave advice on disability issues to the Department in relation to applications for exemption under the Rail Vehicle (Exemption Applications) Regulations 1998. The Group also supported the Department in developing Guidance to the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 to assist rolling stock manufacturers and train operators both in implementing the existing Regulations but also in areas beyond the Regulations themselves. The Group is hopeful that as the railway industry gains experience in building and using accessible rolling stock, enhanced and cost effective ways of improving accessibility for disabled railway passengers will emerge.

The Group was pleased to receive a presentation (including a mock up) from some engineering design consultants who went back to first principles and came up with some new ideas for improving the door opening/closing mechanism which seemed to meet the requirements of a wide range of disabled people.

The Group's working relationship with the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) has continued. Members of the Group took part in the ORR's wide ranging seminar on the review of the existing Code of Practice - "Meeting the Needs of Disabled Passengers". We are looking forward to working with ORR on a Revised Code of Practice to be published during the course of 1999.

Railtrack, the Association of Train Operating Companies, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and the Railway Inspectorate have continued to attend the Groups meetings which has proved to be an invaluable way not only of keeping in touch with new developments but also in developing a common agenda for the benefit of railway passengers.

The Group welcomed the appointment of Railtrack's first Disability Strategy Manager and we were pleased to see the consultation document on Railtrack's strategy for improving its infrastructure over the next 10 years.

A fully accessible railway in the UK within the next 20 to 30 years is by no means beyond the bounds of possibility, particularly if disabled people, the railway industry and the regulators continue to work together in developing practical ideas for improving access to rolling stock, the railway infrastructure as well as developing accessible services throughout the rail network and on trains themselves.

Jean Ashcroft
Chair

Rail Working Group - Work Programme 1999

To work with the Disability Rights Task Force, in order to examine gaps in the DDA in relation to rail issues with a view to making recommendations to be included in new legislation to cover existing gaps and inconsistencies within the legislation.

To continue to improve communications with rail bodies.

To look to future demands/trends and work with manufacturers and operators to develop improved access requirements for future generations of rail vehicles.

To review the availability of Disability Awareness Training in the rail industry and consider if any further work is needed by DPTAC.

To monitor complaints, through reliable bodies, from disabled passengers and to identify gaps in provision on the problem areas which need to be addressed.

Monitor implementation of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR).

Terms of Reference for the Rail Working Group (including light, heavy and underground rail)

Any reference to DPTAC is to the Main Committee

1. The membership of the Group will be agreed with the Chair of the Group and the Chairman of the DPTAC. Membership will be limited to no more than twenty members.

2. The membership of the Group will include representatives from disability interests and the rail industry. Regulators of that industry will have observer status.

3. The Group will normally meet at least four times a year.

4. The Chair of the Group will generally be a full time member of DPTAC and will report on the Group's work to DPTAC.

5. The group will:

a) consider issues affecting elderly and disabled people using railway passenger services, including issues relating to station services.

b) consider requests from DETR and other Government Departments to DPTAC for guidance/advice on policy issues and make recommendations to DPTAC on those issues.

c) undertake such work as they, in consultation with DPTAC, consider necessary to progress the interests of disabled people in relation to rail travel.

d) raise issues, through DPTAC, for consideration by the DETR.

e) draw up guidance and codes of practice, as necessary, for clearance by DPTAC for publication as formal DPTAC advice.

f) provide advice to DPTAC, on consultation papers from Government and other organisations.

g) provide advice to DPTAC in relation to its statutory role in respect of the rail provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

6. All papers submitted to the Group will be confidential to its members and details discussed within the Group should not be discussed with third parties, without prior agreement of the Secretariat.

Published 1 October 1999

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