comcor
18-11-2008, 10:05
Irish Rail criticised for disabled facilities
By Sean O’Riordan
IARNRÓD ÉIREANN has been criticised for a “twin track approach” to disabled people in Cork.
The criticism comes from MEP Brian Crowley, who has been confined to a wheelchair since an accident in 1980, and who has championed the rights of disabled people in the European Parliament.
The rail company is building new stations along the soon to be reopened Cork-Midleton line, that will be fully accessible.
The stations will feature overhead pedestrian bridges, which can be accessed by a lift to enable disabled people move between both platforms.
Iarnród Éireann, has meanwhile, closed the Cork-Cobh line in order to upgrade stations along that route.
The line is being closed for two months to facilitate the €4 million upgrade.
However, it only involves lengthening platforms and upgrading signalling, and doesn’t involve providing lifts to overhead bridges.
The Fianna Fáil MEP said that under the Disabilities Act there is an obligation to make the company’s services accessible to disabled people. There is also an obligation to train staff to deal with those who might have mobility problems.
“We are now in the 21st century. They surely have the technical capacity to make these services available (on the Cobh line). They should be there,” Mr Crowley said.
The 44-year-old Ireland South MEP, who was confined to a wheelchair after falling off a roof, added that a proper service should be provided for all people.
Since being elected to the European Parliament in 1994, he has campaigned vigorously for rights for the disabled.
A spokesman for Iarnród Éireann said the new stations along the Cork-Midleton line would be fully accessible.
But he acknowledged this wouldn’t be the case on the Cork-Cobh line, because lifts were not being put in as part of the station upgrading on that route.
“It is a project we aspire to, but at this present moment we have no time frame on that,” the Iarnród Éireann spokesman said.
He said that upgrading works to cater for disabled people were ongoing at stations on the Cork-Dublin line and on routes in other parts of the country.
The Cork-Midleton line is expected to open next Spring. .
By Sean O’Riordan
IARNRÓD ÉIREANN has been criticised for a “twin track approach” to disabled people in Cork.
The criticism comes from MEP Brian Crowley, who has been confined to a wheelchair since an accident in 1980, and who has championed the rights of disabled people in the European Parliament.
The rail company is building new stations along the soon to be reopened Cork-Midleton line, that will be fully accessible.
The stations will feature overhead pedestrian bridges, which can be accessed by a lift to enable disabled people move between both platforms.
Iarnród Éireann, has meanwhile, closed the Cork-Cobh line in order to upgrade stations along that route.
The line is being closed for two months to facilitate the €4 million upgrade.
However, it only involves lengthening platforms and upgrading signalling, and doesn’t involve providing lifts to overhead bridges.
The Fianna Fáil MEP said that under the Disabilities Act there is an obligation to make the company’s services accessible to disabled people. There is also an obligation to train staff to deal with those who might have mobility problems.
“We are now in the 21st century. They surely have the technical capacity to make these services available (on the Cobh line). They should be there,” Mr Crowley said.
The 44-year-old Ireland South MEP, who was confined to a wheelchair after falling off a roof, added that a proper service should be provided for all people.
Since being elected to the European Parliament in 1994, he has campaigned vigorously for rights for the disabled.
A spokesman for Iarnród Éireann said the new stations along the Cork-Midleton line would be fully accessible.
But he acknowledged this wouldn’t be the case on the Cork-Cobh line, because lifts were not being put in as part of the station upgrading on that route.
“It is a project we aspire to, but at this present moment we have no time frame on that,” the Iarnród Éireann spokesman said.
He said that upgrading works to cater for disabled people were ongoing at stations on the Cork-Dublin line and on routes in other parts of the country.
The Cork-Midleton line is expected to open next Spring. .