Written question asked by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Monday, 10 January 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 January 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 January 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 plans he has to issue an exemption order for the fleet of trams to be introduced into service in Croydon in respect of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998. - Inc ref to 9 March 1999, 327 c167W and fact that an exemption Order relating to the exemption of these trams was laid in Parliament yesterday.

Answer: Mr. Woolas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue an exemption order for the fleet of trams to be introduced into service in Croydon in respect of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998. [104620] Mr. Hill: As my predecessor explained in her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 167W, we are expecting to receive a number of exemption applications from train and tram operating companies whose designs for new rail vehicles were well advanced prior to the 1998 Regulations coming into force. We have received an application from Tramtrack Croydon Ltd. relating to the new trams they wish to introduce on Croydon Tramlink. The exemptions have been discussed with our statutory advisers the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. An exemption Order relating to the exemption of these trams was laid in Parliament yesterday. Copies are available from the Library. The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trams or 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: 342 c116-7W; 104620
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Access Disability Croydon Exemptions Trams Tramlink Statutory instruments
Legislation: Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998