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Clare access to UL vital, says deputy


Improving the access to the Clare campus of the University of Limerick would make South-East Clare even more attractive as a place of residence for students and staff, according to Labour Party TD Michael McNamara.
Deputy McNamara has asked Clare County Council to implement one of the key recommendations of the new  2011 to 2017 Clare County Development Plan concerning access to the university from the Clare side.
A key objective of the County Development Plan is to “support and encourage the further expansion onto the north side of the River Shannon of the University of Limerick campus and increase access from County Clare”.
“The university, catering for approximately 14,000 students, has developed significantly in recent years on the Clare side of the River Shannon and now boasts two residential villages, a road and pedestrian bridge, the health sciences and World Academy of Music and Dance buildings, a medical school, sports pitches and recreational facilities.
“Clare County Council and the university will continue to work together in further expanding the facilities. There is significant potential for the university to expand further northwards into County Clare within the designated university zone.
“However, a critical issue to be resolved is the lack of proper vehicular access to the campus from County Clare and the council will seek to collaborate with all relevant parties in resolving this issue over the lifetime of the plan,” the plan stated.
Deputy McNamara pointed out a large number of staff and students from Clare have to travel across Limerick City during peak traffic times morning and evening to access the main entrance at Plassey.
He called on the council to work on the ­implementation of this key objective in the near future considering Environment Minister Phil Hogan had turned down the recommendation of the Limerick Local Government Committee to include all of the Clare campus under the jurisdiction of a new ­Limerick local authority.
He said the implementation of this objective in the development plan would provide a major economic spin-off for South-East Clare, making it a far more attractive place to live for students and staff alike.
He added this would ensure the university made an even bigger impact the local community, similar to third-level facilities in Cork and Galway.
“Universities in Cork and Galway make a huge ­contribution to the local economy. This could be achieved in South-East Clare if proper vehicular access was provided onto the Clare campus of the university,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ministerial decision to leave the Clare county boundary intact has put the onus on Clare County Council to take its responsibilities towards South-East Clare seriously, a local councillor has challenged.
With the announcement of a single authority for Limerick city and county in 2014, Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said the way has now been  cleared for the Clare local authority to map out a realistic blueprint and plan for the infrastructural needs of the South-East of the county.
“This is a significant population catchment area taking in such places as Ardnacrusha, Clonlara, Parteen, Westbury, Shannon Banks and Carraig Midhe.
“In the past number of years, this region has expanded considerably with new housing estates and new families moving in which has been beneficial to Limerick city’s commercial life.
“With any initiative that Clare County Council takes in relation to this part of the county, it will have to be done in co-operation with the new Limerick authority as this part of Clare is interlinked with Limerick city from a social, economic and sporting viewpoint,” said Mr Fitzgerald.
He pointed out Clare County Council has consistently campaigned against any takeover of any part of Clare including part of the University of Limerick campus.
“Clare County Council is now under the spotlight and knows how the people felt especially Clare-born people and many non-natives who moved into South-East Clare  who vigorously opposed any boundary change.
“It’s now up to the council to show its leadership qualities and support the people in their requests for improvements to roads,” he concluded.

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