The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order authorises the use of specified rail vehicles forming Class 460 electrical multiple-units, although they do not conform with certain requirements of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 because:

• doorway warning sounds cannot be heard outside the vehicle;

• door controls are not positioned as required;

• the amount of force needed to operate the door controls is greater than permitted;

• internal door controls are not illuminated;

• no illumination is provided for steps;

• the priority seats and the spaces around them do not meet the required dimensions;

• transparent surfaces do not have the required coloured markings;

• handrails at external doors are not positioned as required;

• the gap between certain handrails and the surface on which they are fixed is too small;

• the characters for the internal visual announcements are smaller than required;

• there are too few wheelchair spaces;

• there are no tables in the wheelchair spaces;

• a disabled person cannot wash and dry their hands without moving from the toilet;

• it is not possible for a disabled person to move to the toilet seat from a wheelchair placed at the side or the front of the toilet; and

• there is no hinged handrail beside the toilet in the toilet cubicle provided for disabled persons in wheelchairs.

It sets time limits on the authorisation and imposes conditions.

This Order consolidates and replaces, to the extent that they are not spent, the provisions of:

(1) The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000;

(2) The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2000; and

(3) The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment No. 2) Order 2000.

The only change of substance is the termination date for one of the exemptions from 31st March 2001 to 31st August 2001.