New campus will give boost to town centre

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 7 Oct 2009 10:50 0 Comments

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PLANS for the new state-of-the-art Forth Valley College in Alloa town centre came a step closer to fruition on Thursday when councillors unanimously backed the ambitious proposals.

The new college campus, which will be on the site of the ALLOA Centre, was already given the go-ahead by council planners but came before the planning committee for discussion.

The impressive new building will be visible from Shillinghill roundabout and although some concerns were raised over the effect on traffic on the surrounding roads by the SNP's Mark English, planners said that public transport links, which will be upgraded as part of the development, would help reduce problems.

Paths will be constructed from Clackmannan Road at the pedestrian crossing on Auld Brig Road and from Devon Road to provide direct pedestrian and cycle access to the campus including a level access route.

Other improvements to the surrounding road network will include more direct pedestrian access to Mill Road car park, improved passenger shelters and standing areas at the bus stops serving the site on Clackmannan Road, improved cycle lanes on Devon Road from the site to Earn Court.

And if there are problems with people parking on nearby streets within the 12 months of the college opening then the council will implement 'Controlled Parking Zones' on local residential streets.

Councillors at the meeting welcomed consultation between Forth Valley College and the local community after highly successful drop-in sessions were held in Alloa Town Hall.

Councillor Eddie Carrick said, "This is good for Alloa and Clackmannanshire beyond that. There will be management issues here as you can't have an application of this size involving this number people - we are looking at 600 people here and its going to have an effect.

"If people can be persuaded out of their cars it will be a good thing. We need to try and persuade staff and students to go to the college using public transport, walking or cycling."

Councillor Bobby McGill added, "I welcome the proposals and the wide consultation the college went into.

"It will benefit the community and is something which will give a boost to the area.

"It shows true commitment of Forth Valley College to education in Clackmannanshire."

Provost Derek Stewart added his support, saying, "I whole heartedly support the college's move to the new site as it is long overdue.

"There will be a spin off for retailers with people using the town centre to do their shopping and have a wander about."

Councillor Kenny Earle said it would mean there would be a "complete learning complex" with pre-school, primary, secondary and further education all available in Clackmannanshire, and said it was a fantastic opportunity for the Wee County.

SNP councillor Tina Murphy said the finished building would be an excellent piece of architecture on a prominent site which would deliver education in a way that hitherto hadn't been seen in Alloa.

She added, "I went to the college as a mature student 30 years ago and even 30 years ago it was very clear that the current building was tired and the staff were doing the best they could."

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