Park and ride proposed for UL campus access

A NEW park-and-ride facility accommodating 200 cars near the site of the old Burlington factory has been proposed as a means of improving access to the Clare campus of the University of Limerick.

Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald made the proposal at a recent oral hearing concerning the proposed closure of a section of the Garraun Road linking to the campus.
He pointed out Shannon Development owns property behind the Burlington factory, which he claimed should be considered for a park-and-ride facility. He suggested that a special pass be developed for staff and students, limiting the amount of people using this road.
Stressing the need for people to access the Clare campus, he noted an interim measure is needed to improve access, despite the university’s plans to create a major new entrance similar to the one on the Limerick side with a link to the proposed Northern Distributor Road.
He warned that the construction of the Northern Distributor Road may not happen for another 10 years, leaving people in South-East Clare without proper access.
Councillor Pat Hayes called for a compromise solution to take into account the concerns of local fishermen for easy access to the river and the need for more parking in the Gillogue area.
At the end of the hearing, Councillor Cathal Crowe proposed that the university should withdraw its application for a permanent road closure until a number of issues are resolved, which was seconded by Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald.
Councillor Crowe suggested a decision on the application be adjourned to allow consideration for a park-and-ride facility at Burlington, widening the existing Garraun Road as an interim measure before the provision of the Northern Distributor Road and the introduction of a new swipe card and barrier system to allow limited access for students and staff to the Clare campus.
Councillor Michael Begley said the closure should only take place as part of an overall solution and would oppose it until this is agreed.
Senior executive engineer, Seán Lenihan recalled the council considered the provision of new passing bays on the Garraun Road, but decided against it on the advice of gardaí who felt it could be used for illegal parking.
Chairman Marcus O’Connor explained he would make a recommendation under the 1973 Roads Act and noted some of the issues raised were outside the jurisdiction of the oral hearing.
John Moroney from the University of Limerick confirmed the university had entered into negotiations with the owners of the Burlington factory concerning the use of their land. However, the negotiations didn’t reach a fruitful conclusion due to a number of unresolved issues.
Mr Moroney explained earlier in the hearing that there is an onus on the university to ensure it doesn’t impinge on safe access for residents by creating a through road to the Clare campus, which would create large volumes of traffic on what is essentially a local country road.
He said the issue of illegal parking on the Garraun Road is an issue of ongoing concern for the university and pledged the university is open to working with the county council and relevant agencies to make sure this problem does not get worse.
Following extensive development on the Clare campus, he explained the section of road where the extinguishment is being sought had effectively become part of the boundary of the campus.
Members of the Gillogue Residents’ Association highlighted the importance of having adequate parking for people who want to access the Clare campus and felt a reasonable solution should be found to accommodate the need for improved access for residents and fishermen.
They confirmed they were not seeking the provision of a through road for heavy goods vehicles to the university.
In reply to chairman Marcus O’Connor, Mr Moroney confirmed the university is committed to ensuring pedestrians and local fishermen could access the university and the banks of the River Shannon for fishing.
The hearing was also told that the university is anxious to improve the access to the river by providing new pedestrian boardwalks.