Iarnród Éireann is to invest €2.3 million in mobility-impaired facilities at Cork, Longford, Athy and Laytown stations. It is the latest phase of the national programme to improve access across the rail network.
Access to the four stations will be improved through lift or ramp facilities. In Cork, new passenger lift-cars will be provided, replacing existing commercial lifts, and current lift-shafts will be renovated. The work will improve the link between the two platforms via the existing subway.
In Longford, only platform one is accessible currently. A new lift-shaft with a lift-car is to be built, linking the public over-bridge to platform two. In Athy, a new ramp connecting to the existing over-bridge will provide access to platform two. In Laytown, a new bridge with integrated lifts will ensure full access.
Iarnród Éireann regards mobility-impaired customers as including wheelchair-users, the elderly, and those with buggies or carrying shopping.
A spokesman said: "Because of under-investment, we have an infrastructure that is largely unchanged from the 19th century when accessibility was not considered. It will take us time and money to transform the network."
Work has been completed at seven other stations over the last 20 months. Dart stations, partly or wholly inaccessible, are also to be upgraded.