IPSWICH residents will be able to use the new University Campus Suffolk (UCS), it has today been pledged. The campus' library, arts facilities and other resources will be opened to students as well as the general public as part of a move to make UCS widely used by the town's residents.

IPSWICH residents will be able to use the new University Campus Suffolk (UCS), it has today been pledged.

The campus' library, arts facilities and other resources will be opened to students as well as the general public as part of a move to make UCS widely used by the town's residents.

James Hehir, chief executive of Ipswich Borough Council, said UCS is expected to open its doors to the first students in autumn 2007.

He said: “It has been understated how exciting this will be for the town. UCS will be a facility for the local community and as many people as possible will have access to it.

“The campus will be designed and built in such a way that people will not feel they are intruding into a student area. We want to encourage the general public to use the facilities.”

Mr Hehir said a selection of shops planned for the campus will also attract passers by into the waterfront-based campus.

Proposals for the Ipswich education quarter are well under way with a number of 'working groups' planning the development of UCS.

Mr Hehir said: “We have a team of people highly committed to the success of UCS. We need to keep up the impetus of the project.”

An academic strategy group, communications group, UCS board, campus group, operations board and foundation board are among a number of committees and sub committees set up to organise a cohesive approach to the development of the project.

Mr Hehir said: “We are starting to debunk some of the myths around the UCS projects. For example students will not generate more traffic as some people have thought. Students do not work nine to five and many will be living within walking distance.”

Plans are also under discussion for the UCS prospectus to be sent out to schools and sixth form colleges across the country.

Mr Hehir added: “It looks as if there will be 20 undergraduate courses and 15 post graduate courses from year one. It is full steam ahead for the UCS project.”

How do you think Ipswich will change? What are your views on the UCS project? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblinks www.suffolk.ac.uk www.ucs.ac.uk