§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the fleet of 44 new trains to be introduced into service by LTS Rail Ltd. comply with the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [85727]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAs I explained in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 167, we are expecting to receive a number of exemption applications from train operating companies whose designs for new rail vehicles were well advanced prior to the 1998 Regulations coming into force.
We have received such an application from LTS Rail Ltd. The exemptions, which have been discussed with our statutory advisors, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, are mostly of a very minor nature and have been requested for a relatively short time only.
The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed, we believe that the introduction of the new class 357 trains will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people in the area.
An Order relating to the exemption of these rail vehicles has been laid in Parliament today.