Major accessibility upgrade completed at this Kildare station

Major accessibility upgrades have just been completed at Maynooth Station, Co Kildare.

The upgrades will make it easier to travel for people with disabilities, people with mobility concerns, parents with young children, and passengers in general.

Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council , Cllr. Carmel Kelly together with other local representatives, members of Iarnród Éireann’s Disability Users Group, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and members of the Project team were at Maynooth Station today (December 11) to officially mark the completion of a major accessibility upgrade at the station.

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The works included:

• The provision of a new covered footbridge over the railway, which will feature two 13 person lifts.

• Remedial works to platform 1 & 2.

• Redesign and marking of existing accessible car parking spaces adjacent to the station building.

• Upgrades to the lighting on the pedestrian walkways from Straffan Road.

• Improvements to accessible wayfinding signage and installation of tactile signage; including a tactile map at the station entrance.

• Provision of help points and induction loops, connecting to the existing public address system.

• Refurbishment of the existing disabled toilet.

Funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority, an integral element of Iarnrod Éireann’s ongoing investment programme is to continuously improve accessibility of its stations and services.

Accessibility works have been completed at Rathmore and Athy already this year and work is underway at four other stations across the network. Contracts for Design and Build contractors for DART+ West, which will bring a DART service to the Maynooth Commuter route are expected to be signed by the end of next year and construction is expected to start in 2028.

DART+ West will gave a major boost to frequency and capacity for customers on this route when it is completed.

The company’s Disability Users Group provides direct input from disability representative bodies and users of rail services in developing accessibility programmes and projects.

Speaking at the event, Programme Manager for Iarnród Éireann’s Accessibility Programme, Colin Grimes said: “I am delighted to see the works complete here at Maynooth. They will future proof the station for generations of customers to come here at Maynooth. I would like to commend all the members of my team and our contractors, Global Rail who have done an excellent job in delivering this project”

Naomi Rooney, Transport Accessibility Manager at the National Transport Authority, added: “Improving accessibility is about ensuring that everyone can travel with confidence and independence. The upgrades at Maynooth Station represent a significant step forward in creating a rail network that is inclusive for all and will make a real difference to customers with disabilities, reduced mobility or people travelling with buggies and luggage accessing both sides of the platform with ease. The NTA is delighted to support Iarnród Éireann in delivering these welcome improvements.“

Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council, Cllr Carmel Kelly said: “I am delighted to be invited here today to officially open the new footbridge over the railway, plus two lifts, along with the other upgrades to Maynooth Train Station.  Iarnród Éireann are again demonstrating they are putting passengers first, by delivering improvements that enhance customer experience and accessibility, underlying their commitment to a railway network that is accessible to all.”