{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/rail-vehicle-accessibility-regulations-1998/regulation-16",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/rail-vehicle-accessibility-regulations-1998/regulation-16.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/1998/2456",
  "legislation_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/rail-vehicle-accessibility-regulations-1998",
  "path": "regulation/16",
  "kind": "regulation",
  "number": "16",
  "heading": "Wheelchair space specifications",
  "text": "(1) A wheelchair space shall comply with the following specifications:\n(a) the space shall be not less than 1300 millimetres long measured in the longitudinal plane of the regulated rail vehicle and not less than 750 millimetres wide measured in the transverse plane of that vehicle;\n(b) subject to regulation 18 there shall be no obstruction of the space between the floor and the ceiling of the regulated rail vehicle, other than an overhead luggage rack or an openable window (if fitted);\n(c) at one end of the space there shall be a structure or fitting which shall have a minimum width of 700 millimetres and shall be capable of preventing a reference wheelchair, which has been positioned with its back against the structure or fitting, from moving or tipping towards the structure or fitting, whether or not that movement or tip includes a sideways movement or tip.\n(d) no magazine rack or other fitting for the use of other passengers shall be accessible through the space, other than an overhead luggage rack or an openable window (if fitted);\n(e) the space shall be fitted with a device which shall—\n(i) enable a disabled person in a wheelchair to communicate with a person who is in a position to take appropriate action in an emergency;\n(ii) be placed within reach of a person in a reference wheelchair;\n(iii) be operable by the palm of a person’s hand; and\n(iv) not require a force greater than 30 newtons for operation\n(f) a sign conforming to diagram C in the Schedule shall be marked on the fixed structure.\n(2) (a) If a wheelchair space is not needed by a disabled person in a wheelchair folding or tip-up seats may be used in that space.\n(b) When folded or tipped up those seats shall not project into the space.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "restr in pt (temp) (until 31.12.2002) (1.1.2002)",
      "affecting": "uksi/2001/3952",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Croydon Tramlink Class CR4000 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2001"
    },
    {
      "type": "amended",
      "affecting": "uksi/2000/3215",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Amendment) Regulations 2000"
    },
    {
      "type": "excluded (temp. until 31.12.2001)",
      "affecting": "uksi/2000/6",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Croydon Tramlink Class CR4000 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000"
    },
    {
      "type": "excl.in pt. (temp.)",
      "affecting": "uksi/1999/520",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Midland Metro T69 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999"
    },
    {
      "type": "excl.in pt.",
      "affecting": "uksi/1999/1448",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (LTS Rail Class 357 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999"
    },
    {
      "type": "excl in pt",
      "affecting": "uksi/2003/2408",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Bristol Harbour Railway Vehicle Number DB978121) Exemption Order 2003"
    },
    {
      "type": "excluded in part",
      "affecting": "uksi/2004/1302",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South Eastern Trains Class 376) Exemption Order 2004"
    },
    {
      "type": "excluded in part",
      "affecting": "uksi/2004/1302",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South Eastern Trains Class 376) Exemption Order 2004"
    },
    {
      "type": "transtl provns",
      "affecting": "uksi/2008/925",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (B2007 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2008"
    },
    {
      "type": "restr in pt",
      "affecting": "uksi/2002/1694",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Isle of Wight Railway LCDR No. 2515 Vehicle) Exemption Order 2002"
    },
    {
      "type": "restr in pt",
      "affecting": "uksi/2002/2873",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Summerlee Tramcar No. 392) Exemption Order 2002"
    },
    {
      "type": "excl in pt",
      "affecting": "uksi/2002/1188",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Middleton Railway Drewry Car) Exemption Order 2002"
    },
    {
      "type": "excluded",
      "affecting": "uksi/2002/285",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (East Hayling Light Railway Vehicles) Exemption Order 2002"
    },
    {
      "type": "excluded",
      "affecting": "uksi/2002/285",
      "affecting_title": "The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (East Hayling Light Railway Vehicles) Exemption Order 2002"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2456/regulation/16",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T11:17:49.649417+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}