Written question asked by Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Adonis (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 December 2008.

Railways: Wheelchair Users

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 20 November (WA 227) on arrangements train operators must make for accommodating wheelchair users, what is meant by ““reasonable steps””; and whether any written guidance is available.

Answer: It is for each station operator to decide policies in this area and compliance will vary depending on the circumstances of individual stations. There is no prescribed definition of ““reasonable””. Ultimately this is a matter for the courts to decide, taking into account the individual facts of any case brought by a disabled person who feels that they have been discriminated against. Guidance on this issue, Avoiding Disability Discrimination in Transport: A Practical Guide for Rail Services, was produced by the Disability Rights Commission. The commission also produced two statutory codes of practice on Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act. These are the Code of Practice—Rights of Access: Services to the Public, Public Authority Functions, Private Clubs and Premises and the Code of Practice: Provision and Use of Transport Vehicles. These publications are available from the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 12; 706 c2-3WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Railways: Wheelchair Users
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Access Disability Railway stations Wheelchairs
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk