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IRISH RAIL PLANS to upgrade or replace lifts and escalators at 22 stations this year.
In recent years, disability activists and commuters have accused Irish Rail of not caring about accessibility, with lifts repeatedly out of service for long periods of time.
In a statement today, Irish Rail confirmed a total of 22 stations – 10 in Dublin city and county and 12 in the wider network – will see lift and escalator replacements or system upgrades between now and the end of this year.
Heavy duty stainless steel electric traction lifts will be installed at the following nine stations: Templemore, Thurles, Ballybrophy, Laytown, Leixlip Louisa Bridge, Monasterevin, Tullamore, Athlone and Ballinasloe.
11 other stations will benefit from modernisation, including lift control systems, water ingress prevention works, new roller shutter assemblies and other system improvements, Irish Rail said.
Dublin’s Connolly and Pearse stations will see escalators replaced.
A ‘Lift Call’ system will also be rolled out by Irish Rail, which it said will ensure lifts are monitored by CCTV to prevent access to those who seek to vandalise or damage equipment.
In recent years, disability activists claimed the issue of out-of-service lifts is “getting worse” at Dart stations.
On one day in November 2019, Access for All Ireland said there were 11 Dart stations where lifts were out of order.
The campaign group said that this was the biggest number of lift outages they had ever recorded.
At the time, Bernard Mulvany, from the campaign group, said that problems were getting worse despite persistent assurances from Irish Rail.
“It’s a horrendous issue,” he said.
Irish Rail said customers of reduced mobility will be advised of alternative arrangements to ensure continued access to services while works are take place at lifts and escalators at individual stations.
Irish Rail chief executive Jim Meade said: “With new trains and station enhancements planned, accessibility will be central to the design of all improvements we deliver under the National Development Plan.
“However, improving the reliability and performance of our existing lift network is crucial to ensure customers with reduced mobility have confidence in using our services.
“While it is unavoidable that the works themselves will result in lifts being temporarily out of service, we have arrangements in place at each of the stations affected to maintain access to services during the works.”
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The fact somebody in a wheelchair would have to ring in advance so an IR employee can be waiting with a ramp is crazy. Raise part of the platform next to where the driver would be so they can assist where necessary
@Yop: I was traveling in hong kong with a wheelchair user and the ticket attendant was over apologetic about our delay getting down to the platform. We needed to wait for the next train.. When is the next Train? And with a look of disappointment the guy said ” maybe about 3mins” Three Minutes
@Yop: I’ve often wondered why ramps couldn’t be built into carriages as they are with buses. I’m guessing that costs are the overriding factor.
Access to platform 2 in Maynooth is an absolute disgrace and there is little or no shelter from the elements!
@John Mc Donagh: Add the recent new platform in Limerick Junction. Car park and ticket office at one end . New platform as far away as possible.
@John Mc Donagh: Always wondered given how much it rains here why we’re so badly prepared for it. It’s kind of hilarious!
What about swipe card only access to those that require this important service, may stop the mag-gots from vandalizing?
@Eddie O’Neill: The lifts are changing to a call button system where it is required to stop vandalism and its working well. That and the lifts being very old was the main problem.
Just wait for the cost of this project to escalate ( boom boom)
They may now look at train time tables and make them suitable for commuters. Currently they start to late and finish to early for a commuter to get in and out of work from Westmeath/Meath to Dublin
Great news finally a step in the right direction. Perhaps next they could make their trains arrive on time.
This is a joke. One in Athenry in& out of service constantly. No rush lads
Finally a little bit of press on the work Irish Rail have been doing for the last 3 years. It takes time to get things done in the semi state world. More to come too.
Looks like things are on the up for rail passengers…
About time !!!
About time ..
Should have dug tunnels you du11ards.
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