New lift to be installed at Tullamore train station
Tullamore Train Station is to have its lift replaced as part of a €5.8 million investment programme at 22 stations around the country, Iarnród Eireann announced today.
Tullamore is one of nine stations to have a new heavy duty stainless steel electric traction lift installed, while eleven other stations are to benefit from modernisation, including lift control systems, water ingress prevention works, new roller shutter assemblies and other system improvements.
Work on the replacement of the existing lift at Tullamore train station is due to commence in the third quarter of this year, and will be completed in a period ofseven weeks. Iarnród Eireann have said alternative arrangements will be made for customers with reduced mobility to ensure "continued access to services while works are to take place at lifts and escalators at individual stations."
Iarnród Eireann is also rolling out a Lift Call system which ensures lifts are monitored by CCTV to prevent vandalism. "Many lift faults arise from misuse, which in turn impacts on ongoing reliability" said today's statement, which adds that results from the 24 stations where the Lift Call system has been installed have been "very positive, with a considerable reduction in the lifts being out of service due to persistent anti-social behaviour."
The news of a new lift for Tullamore train station has been warmly welcomed by Deputy Barry Cowen and Cllr Declan Harvey, who said they had made "numerous representations" to Iarnród Eireann on the issue.
Noting that the lift in Tullamore was "out of service for a significant period of time" which severely impacted the ability of persons with reduced mobility to access services at the train station, the local public representatives said today's announcement is "a key step" towards making public transport accessible for all.
"Providing this new lift and accessible facilities at Tullamore Train Station makes our town more welcoming, more inclusive and gives people more opportunities to participate, and we very much welcome today's announcement" said Deputy Cowen and Cllr Harvey.
Funding for the €5.8m investment programme at train stations around the country is being provided by the National Transport Authority, which includes the boost in Budget 2021 of an additional €2m allocation from the Department of Transport allowing for acceleration of the programme of works.