Rail Users Ireland Forum - View Single Post - CIE won’t let me on train’ -Wheel chair bound passenger claims!

Mark Gleeson · 18-08-2006, 13:41

The following train types used on service ex Heuston are fully legally accessible under UK law, there not being any Irish legislation

1) 29000 railcars used Heuston - Kildare, coach clearly marked, ramp carried onboard, restraining strap and emergency contact button

2) CDE/MK4 used Heuston - Cork, all standard and first class coaches have a wheelchair space but not the buffet, ramp carried onboard (hidden in the wall next to the computer screen), restraining strap and emergency contact button fitted

From what I can make of the report it is clear that the wheelchair involved is far larger and heavier than that upon which the design and regulations allow for (bear in mind the UK law was the result of massive consultation), it probably won't even fit through the corridor and as a result Iarnrod Eireann are refusing them access on the grounds of safety. Legally they are right to do this and cannot be challenged since they will produce a document to indicate 100% compliance with the accessibility guidelines on all rollling stock ordered since it came into force.

The corridor per say on the new trains is wider than the old ones and is physically as wide as possible making it any larger would mean the accessible toilet cannot be fitted, one toilet, one luggage rack and 3 seats has already been sacrificed to make space thus even fully accessible coaches will still not work in this case

The older coaches have been adapted to carry a wheelchair in the buffet coach or control car where available but structural alterations are not permitted since they are just not possible

Wheelchair physically too big compared to the design laid down in the rules even if 100% compliance was provided they probably wouldn't fit

Edit
Having read it again it sounds like a complaint was filed through IE or the Rail Safety Commission (I would have done such if I witnessed this) and a warning has been issued to discontinue the practice or the book will be thrown at them. It would of course help to actually have a copy of the email since quotes are always selective

18-08-2006, 13:41	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The following train types used on service ex Heuston are fully legally accessible under UK law, there not being any Irish legislation 1) 29000 railcars used Heuston - Kildare, coach clearly marked, ramp carried onboard, restraining strap and emergency contact button 2) CDE/MK4 used Heuston - Cork, all standard and first class coaches have a wheelchair space but not the buffet, ramp carried onboard (hidden in the wall next to the computer screen), restraining strap and emergency contact button fitted From what I can make of the report it is clear that the wheelchair involved is far larger and heavier than that upon which the design and regulations allow for (bear in mind the UK law was the result of massive consultation), it probably won't even fit through the corridor and as a result Iarnrod Eireann are refusing them access on the grounds of safety. Legally they are right to do this and cannot be challenged since they will produce a document to indicate 100% compliance with the accessibility guidelines on all rollling stock ordered since it came into force. The corridor per say on the new trains is wider than the old ones and is physically as wide as possible making it any larger would mean the accessible toilet cannot be fitted, one toilet, one luggage rack and 3 seats has already been sacrificed to make space thus even fully accessible coaches will still not work in this case The older coaches have been adapted to carry a wheelchair in the buffet coach or control car where available but structural alterations are not permitted since they are just not possible Wheelchair physically too big compared to the design laid down in the rules even if 100% compliance was provided they probably wouldn't fit Edit Having read it again it sounds like a complaint was filed through IE or the Rail Safety Commission (I would have done such if I witnessed this) and a warning has been issued to discontinue the practice or the book will be thrown at them. It would of course help to actually have a copy of the email since quotes are always selective Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 18-08-2006 at 14:05.