HC Deb 26 February 1999 vol 326 cc482-3W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with bus companies about introducing wheelchair-accessible low-level buses; what plans he has to speed up the introduction of such buses; and if he will make a statement. [73141]

Ms Glenda Jackson

We are introducing regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for all new buses to be wheelchair accessible. An informal consultation on regulations to require improved access to buses and coaches took place in 1998. Copies of the consultation document were circulated widely, including to all bus and coach operators. Meetings were also held with representatives of both manufacturing and operating industry, and a formal consultation on the draft regulations is planned for this year.

The regulations will progressively require a lower first step height, provision for wheelchair users and other passengers with a wide range of disabilities, starting in January 2000. End dates are also being proposed for all regulated buses and coaches to ensure that over a reasonable timescale they all become fully accessible.

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with local councils about the design of kerbs with regard to wheelchair accessibility; if he has discussed kerb design with charities for the blind; and if he will make a statement. [73142]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Department first issued advice on dropped kerbs almost twenty years ago. Last month we issued new technical guidance to local authorities "Guidance on the use of tactile paving surfaces". The first chapter of that document deals with the design of dropped kerbs for wheelchair users and the provision of tactile paving at such installations to warn blind and partially sighted people that they have reached the edge of the footway. The advice was produced after consultation with local authorities, disability organisations, including those representing blind and partially sighted people, and other interested parties.

We propose to support the advice contained in this document on dropped kerbs with a Traffic Advisory Leaflet which will be issued to local authorities. The leaflet should be available later this year.

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to ensure that all new buildings have wheelchair access to all floors via front and back doors. [73137]

Mr. Raynsford

Part M of the Building Regulations, which applies to all new buildings, requires that reasonable provision shall be made for disabled people to gain access to and to use the building. The Approved Document which gives guidance on meeting this requirement says that the requirement will be met by making it reasonably safe and convenient for disabled people: to gain access to and within buildings other than dwellings and to use them; and from 25 October 1999 to be able to visit new dwellings and to use the principal storey. For the purposes of Building Regulations disabled people are defined as people who have an impairment which limits their ability to walk or which requires them to use a wheelchair for mobility or who have impaired hearing or sight.

The provisions for access and facilities in buildings other than dwellings are for the benefit of disabled people who are visitors to the building or who work in it. One of the objectives of Part M is that disabled people should be able to use the principal entrance provided for visitors or customers and an entrance which is intended, exclusively, for members of staff. The provisions are not described in terms of front and back doors. Another objective of Part M is that in designing buildings, it is important that disabled people are able to reach the facilities that are provided within them and to use them. To this end reasonable provision is to be made for vertical circulation within a building other than a dwelling.

In view of this, I have no plans to introduce further legislation.