Doorways
Although the external doorways have audible warnings when the doors close, no audible warning is given when the door becomes openable by passengers - this is needed and must be audible externally.
Door Controls
The metal buttons do not contrast against their metal base plate. Contrasting bezels could be fitted.
Both internal controls for the external doors are too high (although the "Close" is only non- compliant by 80mm), fixed within a panel which would need to be extended in order to bring both buttons within a compliant height. Some improvement is expected. It was felt, however, that it would be acceptable to swap the position of the two controls (so that the "Open" would be only non-compliant by 80mm). This would involve significantly less work and expenditure than extending all the panels at every doorway. In this case the Department would grant a dispensation from the requirement in the PRM TSI for the Open control to be above the Close.
The vehicle end manual door handles need to be replaced by ones which are palm- operable and meet the maximum force requirements.
Handrails
The vertical handrails in the doorways are too low. However, that one on the left hand side cannot be raised without conflicting with the door control panel. Therefore, this may remain. However, that one on the right hand side must be raised to a compliant height. In order to reduce expenditure, the existing handrail may be reused even though it would not cover the full height range required (a dispensation would be granted for this).
Boarding Aid
You were unable to check whether the boarding ramp has fixing pins, with an interfacing hole/slot on the vehicle. These must be provided.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa.../class313-2-brll-southern-covering-letter.pdf
