Shuttle bus plan for UL campus being examined

The promoters of a new car park on the outskirts of Clonlara are examining the feasibility of hiring a shuttle bus to transport commuters from the new parking area to the University of Limerick campus.

Zinc Properties Limited has opened the 60-space pay car park, entry/exit controls and all associated site works at Gillogue, Clonlara.

Traffic is prohibited from entering the Clare campus of the university. However, the new car park offers commuters the chance to park in Gillogue and walk a relatively short distance to the university from the Clare side.

Between 20 and 25 motorists have been using this car park since it opened three weeks ago, much to the relief of residents, who have campaigned for years for the ending of indiscriminate parking along a narrow approach road near the campus.

Councillor Michael Begley, who lodged the planning application on behalf of Zinc Properties in his role as a planning agent, said it is noticeable that a higher percentage of motorists use the car park on fine days, as people want to avoid walking to the campus in wet weather.

In addition to increasing the public awareness of the new facility with the help of promotional material in the university, the promoters are also examining the possibility of providing a new shuttle service at peak times between 8 and 9am and 4pm and 5pm. This could take commuters down to the bottom of the Garraun Road near the Irish World Academy of Music building and close to the pavillion with the state-of-the-art playing fields.

Councillor Begley also confirmed Zinc Properties are looking at the possibility of building a new pedestrian bridge to shorten the walking time from the car park over the canal into the campus.

A small drainage system runs parallel on either the old canal and it would make a big difference if a new crossing could be provided.

In the long term the company is hoping that a number of agencies could unite in a public/private partnership to provide a new crossing across at the Blackwater River, the old canal and the drainage system to the corner of the campus.

This project could come to fruition with the help of funding under the Smarter Travel initiative.

Councillor Begley claimed the best long term solution would be the provision of a new entrance on the Clare side to allow commuters better access to parking facilities without allowing them connect with the main southern campus.

He admitted Clare County Council is not keen on allowing extra traffic over the existing humpback bridges at Gillogue, even with traffic lights because of the restricted vision for oncoming vehicles.

“It is unlikely that we are going to see any major new entrance until the Northern Distributor Road is provided if it happens and this project has already attracted a lot of objections from local residents.

“The provision of a new road and bridges across the Blackwater River and old canal are other ideas worth examining to substantially improve access from the Clare side,” he said.