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'Outrageous' threat to wheelchair access firms
In what deserves to become a classic instance of how thoughtlessly we are now governed, a proposed EC directive threatens to destroy a small British industry that specialises in converting 10,000 cars a year to allow them to transport wheelchair users. Unless this bureaucratic blunder is soon rectified, 25 firms employing 1,000 people could be put out of business, and wheelchair users with such conditions as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and spinal injuries, would be deprived of their much-valued ability to travel the roads in ordinary vehicles.
When the European Commission drafted its latest version of the general "framework directive" laying down rules for vehicle construction, it seems they were unaware of this small but vital industry's particular needs. Linda Ling, who chairs the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Converters Association (WAVCA), runs Gowrings Mobility in Newbury, Berkshire, employing 100 people in a factory which converts well-known car models to accommodate a wheelchair. These are supplied to local authorities, the NHS, taxi firms, charities and private customers.
Until now EC rules, under the so-called National Low Volume Type Approval Scheme, have allowed the conversion of up to 500 cars of each model. But under the proposed new rules (on which Britain was outvoted) this would be limited to 75, which makes the costly conversion process unviable.
The industry was not consulted by the Department for Transport (DfT) until the directive was almost in its final form, at which stage WAVCA was shocked by the apparent inability of DfT officials to lobby for further changes. Its members went to Brussels to put their case to Dr Reinhard Schulte-Braucks, head of the Automotive Unit at the Commission's "Enterprise" directorate. Again they were shocked by how little he seemed to understand their problem.
But, since he offered to help, on January 13 they sent some practical proposals. Having had no reply by May, they wrote again. He eventually responded in June that no further changes to the legislation could be permitted, but that once the directive had become law, the industry could apply to his Technical Committee for their points to be considered.
Mrs Ling is adamant that this in no way removes the threat to her industry's survival, since it needs to plan for years ahead. Shareholders and bank lenders could not be asked to take such a gamble. It appears that her counterparts in other EU countries are not concerned, because they have assurances that their national governments will not take so strict a line in enforcing the directive. When the directive was put to MPs on the Commons European Scrutiny Committee, they were told by a junior transport minister, Stephen Ladyman, that it was now "acceptable" to the UK Government (even though it had been outvoted). Mrs Ling says: "We believe the DfT has let us down badly."
In desperation, WAVCA has now appealed for help to other politicians, and the cause has been taken up by the Tories' front-bench transport spokesman, Owen Paterson, and Mrs Ling's MP, Richard Benyon. Mr Paterson, who describes the situation as "quite outrageous", says they hope to visit Brussels for further discussion with Dr Schulte-Braucks as soon as possible. Last week, realising the potential embarrassment of this issue, the Commission gave me reassurance, promising to do "all we can to help". Watch this space.
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