Explanatory note

This Order authorises the use of specified rail vehicles forming Class 460 electrical multiple-units, although they do not confirm with certain requirements of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 because:

• doorway warning sounds cannot be heard outside the vehicle;

• warnings are emitted whenever the passenger doors in the side of the vehicle are closed;

• door controls are not positioned as required;

• the amount of pressure needed to operate the door controls is greater than permitted;

• internal door controls are not illuminated;

• no illumination is provided for steps;

• the seats and the spaces around them do not meet the required dimensions;

• transparent surfaces do not have the required coloured markings;

• handrails at external doors are not positioned as required;

• the gap between certain handrails and the surface on which they are fixed is too small;

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

• there are too few wheelchair spaces;

• there are no tables in the wheelchair spaces;

• a disabled person cannot wash and dry their hands without moving from the toilet;

• it is not possible for a disabled person to move to the toilet seat from a wheelchair placed at the side or the front of the toilet;

• there is no hinged handrail beside the toilet in the toilet cubicle provided for disabled persons in wheelchairs.

It sets time limits on the authorisation and imposes conditions.