Home News Swords and Balbriggan shine in litter survey

Swords and Balbriggan shine in litter survey

Friday, 26 June 2009

SWORDS and Balbriggan achieved a Clean To European Norms standard in the latest litter survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). However, the survey reveals that Dublin city has fallen from being declared a Moderately Littered area to being Littered. IBAL is warning that many areas are likely to suffer this summer with the large-scale reduction of weekend cleaning due to budget cuts. A further concern is that cities are not doing as well as the towns as the peak tourist season begins. Dr Tom Cavanagh, chairman of IBAL, said he was delighted to have so many areas classed as Clean to European Norms. “However, we fear a deterioration over the summer as weekend cleaning budgets get slashed in many areas,” stated Dr Cavanagh. “We saw over the June bank holiday weekend how beaches were seriously affected by the lack of weekend cleaning. “As summertime brings tourists and outdoor activity to most areas, this is a major worry, which is not limited to beaches but extends to all public places.” IBAL estimates that many local councils are making, on average, savings of e750 per week when cutting their weekend cleaning budgets and contend such a saving to be a false economy. “Litter is one area of spend where any cuts will be immediately visible, in littered pavements, parks and beaches,” argued Dr Cavanagh. “Set against the significant time and money which local hotels and shops have invested in tourism over the past decade, these cuts are small, but they can be enough to undo the good work done in any town.” As part of the IBAL Anti Litter League, An Taisce monitors all towns of population 6,000 and over, independently in accordance with international grading standards. A spokesperson for An Taisce referred to the result Swords achieved as being “excellent” with the approach roads to the town deserving special mention as they all were in such good condition. They were not just clear of litter but exceptionally well maintained.  “Colaiste Choilm, the Pavilions Shopping Centre and Castle Street Business Park were all top ranking sites, while Main Street and Swords Town Park had moderate levels of litter,” said the spokesperson. Praised was also heaped on the result Balbriggan achieved with approach roads to the town again being in excellent condition.  “The roadworks taking place at Drogheda Street didn’t impact in any negative way on the litter situation,” stated the spokesperson. “Balbriggan beach and environs was somewhat littered, especially along the walkway. Much of the litter was alcohol related and dog fouling.” The spokesperson said just over half of the sites surveyed in Dublin city got the top litter grade but one of the biggest litter problems in the city lies in the approach roads as half of them were either seriously littered or a litter blackspot.  Most of the city centre sites scored very well like D’Olier Street, Fleet Street, O’Connell Street, Gardiner Street, Liffey Street, Merrion Square and Halpenny Bridge. “However, Barrow Street is a relatively recently re-developed area with modern offices such as Google and apartments, and it was disappointing to see it score so poorly,” added the spokesperson.