Disability Access

[bluenoxid]

I am just reading Ian Walmesley's article on supplying Traxx to East Anglia. There is an interesting comment about disability access and that only supplying a replacement DVT with full access (rather than the whole train) is a no.

This appears to be a shame as it screws up other potential life extension project such as coupling 156 vehicles to other units to maintain capacity and access to the train.

Is it true?

 

[northwichcat]

Am I right in thinking the idea of putting a Voyager style driving car at one end of a 12 car HST set instead of a standard DVT is a no?

I assume this new driving car would have 2 doors, otherwise there would be no disabled emergency exit.

Could the around 250m train length have anything to do with it? I certainly wouldn't like to be a disabled passenger at the wrong end when the trains turns up the other way around to what was expected.

 

[BestWestern]

Surely as long as a sufficient, comfortable and safe area is provided for the accomodation of those using a wheelchair, the rest of the train doesn't need to be touched? Most trains at present only have one designated wheelchair area, what difference does it make where it is?! This legislation will end up shooting itslef in the foot, as there will end up being endless exemptions passed to keep existing stock going until such time as the money is there to replace it. Why not simply allow suitable upgrades to what we already have?! :roll: