Written question asked by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 7 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 8 December 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Friday, 8 December 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what amendments he proposes to make to exemption orders for the new Class 168/1 trains introduced into service by Chiltern Railways Ltd and for the new Class 170/3 trains introduced into service by South West Trains Ltd in respect of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Ms Rosie Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amendments he proposes to make to exemption orders for the new Class 168/1 trains introduced into service by Chiltern Railways Ltd. and for the new Class 170/3 trains introduced into service by South West Trains Ltd. in respect of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [142156] Mr. Hill: We have received further applications from both Chiltern Railways in respect of their Class 168/1 trains and South West Trains in respect of their Class 170/3 trains. These seek to amend the original Orders by extending existing exemptions. The exemptions have been discussed with our statutory advisers the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. Exemption Orders relating to the exemption of these trains has been laid in Parliament. The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed, we believe that their introduction will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 359 c11W;359 c9W; 142156
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Access Disability Exemptions Railways Trains Chiltern Railways (1996-2026) South West Trains
Legislation: Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk