A temporary car park is in the works for TUS

A temporary car park for almost 200 vehicles is in the works for TUS Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone.

Interestingly though, it would not be on the university campus where the pressure for space for parking grows as student numbers continue to rise and facilities expand even further.

What's been signalled in a new planning notice is that TUS intends to submit plans seeking approval to put temporary car parking facility in place at a site in Athlone Business Park at Kilmacuagh, Bunahiley, Dublin Road. The established business park, close to big parts of the Athlone college campus, is already home to An Post, Lidl, DPD Ireland and UPS among others.

The pressure on parking spaces has become an issue for the staff and students in the third-level institution in recent times, and many will welcome any moves to find a solution, albeit a temporary one.

The car park would have space for 195 cars with a new entrance off the existing road network, fencing, gates and public lighting.

It's unclear as of yet what part of the park the new parking facility would be located, and that will only become clear when the formal proposals is submitted to Westmeath County Council.

TUS has a fortnight after the planning notice is published to submit its plans to the local authority for the project.