Make Way Day campaigners make their voices heard in Kilkenny
Campaigners in Kilkenny used the day to highlight the ongoing lack of a functioning lift at the train station
A number of local citizens, campaigners and elected representatives gathered at the non-operational lift at MacDonagh Train Station last Friday as part of ‘Make Way Day’.
The day saw advocates all over the country drawing attention to accessibility problems and issues in their respective communities.
Spearheading the campaign in Kilkenny was Kilkenny Access Group, who endeavour to make Kilkenny City and county as accessible as possible and to raise awareness of access issues for people with disabilities.
The whole point of the day is making the public aware of an issue with an impactful, coordinated and decisive day of action.
Green Party councillor and Deputy Mayor of Kilkenny, Maria Dollard has slammed the CIE and Irish Rail for their continued failure to operate a lift (intended to support older people and those with additional needs accessing the station).
The lift shaft was installed in 2007 and is estimated to have cost in the region of €100,000 but the lift has never been in use, leaving many people with no choice but to walk up a steep ramp instead.
Cllr Dollard previously told a city district meeting that Irish Rail “refuse to take any responsibility for the lift.”
“They’re denying they have any role in its operation,” she said.
“The response that I’ve gotten from Irish Rail is that they consider the so-called age-friendly access to the shopping centre as sufficient for wheelchair users to access the train station, which is their official line on this.
The Kilkenny Access Group are so frustrated to think that sitting there is a lift shaft that could be used and they’re being denied a very simple thing to get access to public transport.
“They obviously haven't spoken to any wheelchair users because any wheelchair user would say going across paved, rough area as you would have to do is not a suitable service.
“The Kilkenny Access Group are so frustrated to think that sitting there is a lift shaft that could be used and they’re being denied a very simple thing to get access to public transport.”
Kilkenny Access Group have since launched an online petition entitled “Fix the lift at Kilkenny MacDonagh Junction train station.”
“This affects far more than people with disabilities,” the group stated.
“Older adults, parents with prams, travellers with luggage, and those with mobility challenges are forced to tackle a steep incline or face unnecessary hardship.
“A public transport service should be accessible to everyone.
“Accessibility is a basic right. Leaving this lift unusable for nearly two decades is unacceptable and excludes many from travelling independently and with dignity.
“We urge the relevant authorities to repair and maintain the lift without further delay.”
Last year, Make Way Day campaigners took to the streets to highlight the struggles faced by wheelchair users due to regular instances of irresponsible and illegal parking.
Kilkenny wheelchair user John Grace told Kilkenny Live at the time that finding suitable parking has become a difficult task for the local Irish Wheelchair Association team in recent years.