Irish construction companies have come up trumps with London’s latest transport system.
And up is the word following the opening of the Emirates Air Line – a 1.1km long river crossing over the river Thames.
A number of top Irish building companies have been involved in bringing Britain’s first urban cable car to life.
Main contractors Mace were joined on the build by Westmeath firm J Coffey Construction and the Carey Group, which was founded in 1969 by Careys' Chairman John Carey Snr and his two brothers Pat and Tom.
The company’s vision then was to build an exceptional civil engineering business without losing sight of traditional values.
And it has managed to do just that in helping to realising this amazing feat of engineering.
Careys were involved in the project from the beginning, building the support columns that will now ferry the gondolas 160 feet above the Thames.
Coffey helped built the north and south piers, as well as groundwork projects.
London’s Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy CBE said: “The Emirates Air Line is an amazing achievement for all of those involved given the time scale they worked within from it being an initial idea to a completed mode of transport.”
Passengers will be able to take the first flight this week from midday on Thursday, June 28.
The river crossing, between Greenwich and the Royal Docks, will have the capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction, the equivalent of 30 buses.
It will initially operate seven days a week from 7am to 9pm Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 9pm on Saturdays and 9am to 9pm on Sundays.
A single fare boarding pass using Oyster pay as you go costs £3.20.
For those who want the experience of an extended journey to enjoy the fantastic views of the City, which include Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park, there will be the option to take a non-stop return journey.
This ‘360 degree tour’ costs £6.40.
The Emirates Air Line will be key to the revitalisation of east London by creating jobs and attracting investment to the capital.
It will also encourage regeneration at The Royal Docks and Greenwich Peninsula, each a dedicated enterprize zone, with plans for a floating village to be opened on the north side of the river.
Airline Emirates helped make the new transport scheme a reality by investing £36million in a 10-year sponsorship deal.
This eye-catching landmark is just one in a series of recent engineering feats from Irish companies - following on from the Shard, the Olympic Stadium and the Cutty Sark restoration.
