The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order authorises the use of specified rail vehicles forming Class 458 electrical multiple-units, although they do not conform with certain requirements of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/2456 as amended by S.I. 2000/3215) because:

• doorway warning sounds cannot be heard outside the vehicle;

• door controls are not positioned as required;

• more force than is permitted is required to operate some door control devices;

• internal door controls are not illuminated;

• the band of colour on the step-tread is too wide;

• there is no step illumination;

• handrails at external doors are not positioned as required;

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

• the toilet cubicle for disabled persons in wheelchairs does not meet the requirement that such a person may wash and dry his hands without moving from the toilet and the requirement that there must be sufficient space for a reference wheelchair in front of and beside the toilet.

It sets time limits on the authorisation and imposes conditions.

For reasons of clarity this Order incorporates, to the extent that they are not spent, the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/848), which is revoked.

It changes the termination date for the exemption from regulation 4(2) from 30th September 2001 to 30th September 2004.