Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason the LUAS bridge on Davitt Road, Dublin is not wheelchair accessible; if there are plans to make it wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25724/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The pedestrian bridge over the Grand Canal adjacent to the Luas Drimnagh stop is not wheelchair accessible. However, I understand from the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) that the pedestrian bridge over the canal at the nearby Goldenbridge stop is wheelchair accessible.

I am informed by the RPA that prior to approval being sought to construct the Luas line in question and the associated pedestrian bridge at Drimnagh stop, consideration was given to the construction of a ramp to provide wheelchair access to the bridge. Due to the difference in levels between the canal bank and the bridge deck it was determined that a ramp of approximately 180 metres in length would have been required.

The benefit to mobility impaired persons of the provision of a ramp of such length would have been marginal given that the nearby bridge at the Goldenbridge stop is wheelchair accessible. Lengthy ramps are not necessary at the latter bridge due to the lesser difference between the level of the bridge deck and the bank in the vicinity of the lock.

I am informed by the RPA that there are no plans to make the bridge at Drimnagh wheelchair accessible.