It is expected that the mats will be extended further along the popular area in the future.
Dublin City Council has announced the launch of new wheelchair-friendly mats in Dollymount Strand.
Introduced today (Wednesday, 1 September), the beach mats will provide wheelchair and scooter users with greater access to the North Bull Island Nature Reserve and beach areas.
According to Dublin City Council, the specially designed beach mats extend 125 metres onto the beach from the end of Causeway Road and will afford wheelchair and scooter users more mobility on the sand.
The trial of the beach mats comes after a recommendation from the North Bull Island Oversight Forum to improve accessibility for beachgoers with additional mobility requirements, both on the nature reserve and its 5km beach.
Subject to use and demand, it is anticipated that the mats will be extended further along the beach in future years.
Delighted to announce the launch of new wheelchair-friendly mats at Dollymount Strand today. The beach mats will provide wheelchair & scooter users with greater access to the North Bull Island Nature Reserve & beach areas. 📸Patrick Greville using new mats https://t.co/LN3gmViNfQ pic.twitter.com/75mFxheWYD
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) September 1, 2021
Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland said she “wholeheartedly” welcomed the addition.
“Accessibility and inclusion should be at the heart of all our policies, and Dublin City Council is committed to making Dublin and its amenities more accessible for its citizens, particularly those with additional mobility needs,” she said in a statement.
The new mats will complement the existing beach mobility resources at the North Bull Island, such as the free beach wheelchair rental service.
The two types of beach-safe wheelchairs available, DeBug and Hippocampe, can be rented between 10am and 6pm, seven days a week, during the bathing season of 1 June to 15 September.
Main image via @DubCityCouncil/Twitter
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