§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to amend the construction and use regulations governing public service vehicles to specify features to improve access for disabled people with particular reference to step height, position of handholds and lighting levels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe are well aware of the difficulties encountered by elderly and disabled people when they use public transport, especially buses. We have carried out research in order to find ways to improve access to buses and have to put to the bus industry detailed proposals on steps and hand rails derived from this research as a basis for an amendment to the Construction and Use Regulations.
We are still consulting the bus industry on which of the research findings are appropriate for incorporation in regulations and which are more appropriate to a voluntary code of practice.