Senior staff at the University of Ulster, Magee campus met senior Department for Regional Development officials this week to discuss the ongoing parking and traffic issues in the University area.

The meeting in the city was convened at the instigation of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett and Professor Deirdre Heenan, Dean of Academic Development at Magee.   The participants toured the area and saw the parking and traffic issues at first hand.

As growth plans for Magee move forward, the University is determined to do all it can to ensure that growth in student numbers and the size of the campus does not adversely impact on local residents’ quality of life.

Professor Heenan said: “We at the University at Magee are working in partnership with senior officials in the Department for Regional Development to develop effective locally-based proposals that will  address the parking and travel issues in the University area.  

“We recognise that in recent years the increase in traffic and student numbers, as the University has grown, has placed an ever-increasing pressure on on-street and off-street parking provision in the area. It is our aim, working in partnership with DRD, residents and other interests, to develop a solution which ensures that, as the University continues to expand, with the forthcoming acquisition of lands at Foyle and Londonderry College,  this area remains a safe, attractive place in which  to live, work and study.”

It was agreed that initially a Joint Project Group, reporting to a Steering Group (UU/DRD), would be established to address this issue.  Following consultation, this group will formulate a series of recommendations, in a bid to ensure the best possible outcome for all concerned.