Code of Practice consultation: Covering letter (Scotland)

Code of Practice consultation: Covering letter (Scotland)

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

Strategy and Investment
Buchanan House
58 Pord Dundas Road
Glasgow
G4 0HF

Direct Line: 0141 272 7565
Fax: 0141 272 7538
alastair.young@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Dear Consultee,

Consultation – “TRAIN and STATION design for disabled people – a code of practice”

Transport Scotland, acting jointly with our colleagues from the Department of Transport (DfT), would like to invite you to take part in the following consultation. Your opinion is both welcomed and valued and will form the future direction of this Code of Practice covering train and station design for disabled people.

The existing “Code of Practice on Train and Station Services for Disabled Passengers” was published by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) in 2002 and applies throughout Great Britain. This 2002 Code provides details of both technical standards and good practice. However, new European rules covering the design of railway infrastructure for disabled people are due to come into effect in 2008. These European rules will only apply to stations on the trans-European network, which covers approximately half of the Scottish stations. Although the European rules are very similar to the standards in the GB Code of Practice, there are differences, and this raises the potential for two different sets of rules being applicable across the Scottish rail network.

The main purpose of this letter is to formally invite you to participate in the public consultation issued jointly by Transport Scotland and DfT on the need to align the existing rules set out in the Code of Practice with the new European rules. This way forward has been discussed with the Railways for All Technical Policy Group and the Scottish Rail Accessibility Forum and has therefore been shaped by the opinions of both disabled representative organisations and the rail industry.

We welcome your views on the revised Code of Practice, and a full questionnaire has been included. We would particularly like to know:

• Whether you agree that the Code of Practice should mirror the European rules;
• Whether it is useful for the Code to include examples of good practice which suggest further improvements; and
• If the standards contained in the revised Code will create additional administrative or cost burdens for industry.

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

Copies of the consultation paper can also be requested on Audio CD from:

Railways for All Team
Zone 4/23
Department for Transport
Great Minister House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR

Telephone 020 7944 5284
Minicom 020 7944 3277
Fax 020 7944 6102

The Executive Summary (only) can also be requested in Easy-read format.

The deadline for responses is 23rd May 2008.

Responses can be submitted either by post or email. Or, if you would prefer to speak to me please call me on 0141 272 7565. In addition we will be organising a workshop to discuss the proposed changes and their implications within the next few weeks. Further details of this event will be sent shortly.

Additional Consultation

At this time the DfT has also taken the opportunity to draft new Guidance on Disabled Persons Protection Policies. The DfT is also seeking your views on the proposed revision of this Guidance. Please see DfT covering letter called Guidance on Disabled Persons protection Policies - Consultation Exercise for details on how to respond to this consultation, or view the documentation on the website at www.dft.gov.uk/access/dppp.

Yours sincerely

Alastair Young
Rail Standards and Safety Manager