Code of Practice consultation: Covering Letter (England and Wales)

Covering Letter

This is the covering letter sent to Department for Transport's consultees for the Code of Practice consultation.

Railways for All
Department for Transport
4/18, Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London, SW1P 4DR
Direct Line: 020 7944 5234
Fax: 020 7944 6102
Email: railwaysforall@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Dear Consultee,

Train and Station Standards for Disabled Passengers: A Code of Practice - Consultation

The Department for Transport, acting jointly with our colleagues from Transport Scotland, would like to invite your comments on the proposed revisions to the Train and Station Standards for Disabled Passengers: A Code of Practice , which we also propose to retitle Train and Station Design for Disabled People: A Code of Practice .

The document is intended to replace the Code of Practice published in 2002 by the Strategic Rail Authority, and to focus on train and, more particularly, station design, as reflected by the change in title.

The Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the rail network for disabled people. The Secretary of State for Transport has a responsibility under section 71B of the Railways Act 1993 to produce a Code of Practice to protect the interests of Disabled People using the rail network, and as a condition of their licence, station and passenger train Operators are commonly required to have due regard to that Code.  

A European Specification affecting trains and station infrastructure [1] is expected shortly to come into force on the Trans European Network (TEN), which incorporates around forty percent of Great Britain's rail network.  Its standards will apply to new stations, major works at existing stations, and to minor works to infrastructure previously installed or upgraded using the European specification, on the TEN.  It will also apply to rolling stock which operates on the TEN.

The revised Code of Practice identifies the appropriate standards to be followed at stations and on trains throughout Great Britain's railway network.  Where works meet the criteria above, and are covered by the European specification, operators are directed to the appropriate document.  Where works are not covered by the European specification, the revised Code of Practice sets the standards to be followed. 

The revised Code of Practice uses standards equivalent to, and in the same as, the European Specification.  This will ensure consistency of standards across the rail network 

The document also provides examples of good practice that station Operators could implement to further enhance the journey experience for disabled people using the railway network.

We welcome your views on the revised Code of Practice, and a full questionnaire has been included towards the end of the main consultation document to allow you to provide them easily.  We would particularly like to know:

• whether you agree that the Code Standards, as set out in the Code of Practice, should mirror the European Specification;
  
• whether it is useful for the Code to include examples of good practice which suggest further improvements that Operators could make; and
  
• if the standards contained in the revised Code will create additional administrative or cost burdens for industry.
  

In tandem with this consultation the Department for Transport is also consulting on revisions to the guidance on writing Disabled Persons' Protection Policies (DPPPs).  You can read the consultation document at www.dft.gov.uk/access/dppp. Whilst all responses are warmly welcomed we invite you to consider your answers to this consultation in conjunction with the one on DPPP guidance.

A copy of the Code of Practice consultation can be viewed at www.dft.gov.uk/access/cop.

Copies of the consultation document can be requested on Audio CD from the Railways for All Team at the above address. Telephone 020 7944 5284 Mincom 020 7944 3277.

The deadline for responses is Friday 23rd May 2008.

Please send your responses to:

Code of Practice Consultation
Railways for All
Zone 4/23
Department for Transport
Great Minster House,
76 Marsham Street
London, SW1P 4DR

By fax: 020 7944 6102

Or email: railwaysforall@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Please enter 'Code of Practice Consultation' in the subject line.

In Scotland, responses should be sent to;

Alan Martin
Network Regulation Manager
Strategy & Investment Directorate
Transport Scotland
Buchanan House
58 Port Dundas Road
Glasgow, G4 0HF

By fax: 0141 272 7560
By text phone: 0131 244 1829
Or by email: Alan.martin@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk
Please enter 'Code of Practice Consultation' in the subject line.

A list of organisations we have sent this consultation to is provided at Annex I of the consultation document. If you have any suggestions of others who may wish to be involved in the consultation process please let us know.

In accordance with the Department's publication scheme, a summary of responses will be posted on its website (www.dft.gov.uk ) after the consultation closes.

This consultation has been produced in accordance with the principles of the Governments "Code of Practice on Consultation". The six key principles are included at Annex G.  We have not produced an Impact Assessment to accompany the consultation because we believe that the revised Code does not place any new requirements on station operators.  If you believe that additional burdens will be added by the proposed document please provide relevant details in your consultation response.

According to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, all information contained in your response to this consultation may be subject to publication or disclosure. This may include personal information such as your name and address. If you want your response or your name and address to remain confidential, you should explain why confidentiality is necessary. Your request will be granted only if it is it is consistent with Freedom of Information obligations. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your e-mail system will not be regarded as binding on the Department.

We intend to hold a stakeholder event during the consultation period, in order to discuss the consultation and our proposals.  If you would be interested in attending, please respond to the Railways for All team at the address above by Friday 21st March 2008 along with an approximate number of delegates and any dates which are not suitable for you, within the consultation period. We will then seek to secure a location and date which will be suitable for as many respondees as possible.

If you have any queries regarding this consultation please contact us at the above address.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Johnson
Railways for All

[1] Persons with Reduced Mobility; Technical Specification for Interoperability (PRM TSI)