MTU students at Cork campus ‘take over estates’ to park 

Residents living near the Munster Technological University’s Bishopstown campus  have said their estates have become a car park for students.

Michelle O’Brien, a resident of Kenley Close estate said students “have just taken over the estate”, with more than 300 student cars parked there some days.

“The students have nowhere to park. They’re all driving because they can’t afford the rent, so they’re coming to our estate and abandoning their cars there.

“Residents don’t blame the students, I feel bad for them. It’s the university that is not providing parking.”

Ms O’Brien was recently told a delivery truck trying to drop off a piece of furniture she has ordered could not get into the estate because of the amount of cars.

She said they fear there could be a similar problem if one of the residents needed an ambulance.

“I think something bad has to happen, like a child get knocked down, for the matter to be taken seriously."

Ms O’Brien said residents recently met with MTU about the parking problem, and were told that they should contact Cork City Council about getting double yellow lines in the estate.

She said they had been raising the issue with the council for more than three years already.

Parking pressures

An MTU spokesperson told The Echo: “Munster Technological University recognises the traffic congestion and parking pressures affecting residents living close to the Bishopstown campus.

“These challenges also have a significant impact on the student experience, with many students commuting to university in the absence of appropriate and affordable accommodation.

They said MTU funds a park-and-ride service, which has been expanded recently in response to increasing demand, and has recently met with the council and gardaí to look for additional solutions.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said: “There is a high demand for parking in the greater Bishopstown area by residents, businesses, third-level college students and staff, and hospital visitors and staff.

“We will be commencing a city-wide review of parking in the coming weeks, of which the Bishopstown area will be a key feature. The review will identify key pressure areas and recommend potential solutions.”