The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010

Handrails E+W+S

10.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), a handrail must be fitted in the following positions—

(a) in every rail vehicle, on the inside as close as practicable to, and on either side of, the passenger doorways in the side of the vehicle, extending vertically from a point not more than 700 millimetres above the floor to a point not less than 1200 millimetres above the floor; and

(b) in a rail vehicle which is also a tramcar, at intervals of not more than 1050 millimetres in its longitudinal plane.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) (a) does not apply to a podcar if—

(a) the height of its floor is level, within a 15 millimetre tolerance, with the height of the platform at all stops; and

(b) alternative fixtures are provided at the doorways which would enable passengers to steady themselves when entering or exiting the podcar.

(3) Sub-paragraph (1) (b) does not apply to the upper deck of an open-topped double-decked tramcar.

(4) Subject to sub-paragraphs (5) and (6), any passenger handrail fitted in or to a rail vehicle must comply with the following requirements—

(a) it must have a circular cross section with a diameter of not less than 30 millimetres and not more than 40 millimetres;

(b) there must be not less than 45 millimetres clearance for a passenger's hand between any part of the handrail and any other part of the rail vehicle, excluding the mountings of the handrail to the vehicle;

(c) it must have a slip-resistant surface; and

(d) it must contrast with the parts of the rail vehicle adjacent to that handrail.

(5) A narrow width vehicle, at a passenger doorway in its side, may have a horizontal handrail fitted on the inside above the doorway with an oval cross section provided it complies with the requirements indicated in sub-paragraph (6).

(6) The requirements referred to in sub-paragraph (5) are that—

(a) the handrail must have a maximum width, at its major axis, of not less than 30 and not more than 40 millimetres;

(b) the handrail must have a minimum width, at its minor axis, of not less than 20 millimetres; and

(c) there must be not less than 40 millimetres clearance for a passenger's hand between any part of the handrail and any other part of the rail vehicle, excluding the mountings of the handrail to the vehicle.