Tullamore let down by 'two heavily littered sites' in IBAl survey

TULLAMORE is being let down by ''two heavily littered sites''. That's according to the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) results.

The town came 26th out of the 40 towns inspected by An Taisce who carried out the surveys and while it was deemed to be Clean to European Norms it scored the least marks out of the four main towns in the midlands. Mullingar was 17th, Athlone 22nd and Portlaoise 23rd.

IBAL described the results as: “A solid result for Tullamore on its return to the League, but let down by two heavily littered sites. The approach routes leading into Tullamore presented well, creating a very good first impression.

This was continued at the residential area of Ardan View and the shopping area of Columcille Street. Colourful planting was very much a feature at many of the sites surveyed e.g., Patrick Street, Car Park at Bridge Centre and Columcille Street. There were two heavily littered sites – the area around Lock 27 at Canal Walk and Bring Centre at St. Kyran’s Street / O’Connell Street – the latter was particularly poor as it was subject to dumping.”

The Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District has described the mark as ''disappointing.''

Councillor Declan Harvey said; ''we will never win gold in the Tidy Towns with that mark. Considering the effort that the Tidy Towns are putting in, it's very disappointing. I am asking business people to make more of an effort outside their premises. In 2016 when we won the Entente Florale, a huge effort was put in by everybody and we won. We need a big push now to win the Tidy Towns, he said.

IBAL has given a breakdown of the areas inspected below.

N52 Approach: Grade A. (from town speed limit to Arden Roundabout). Excellent impression, overall. The area was characterised by well-maintained grass verges and hedges and clean road surfaces and kerbs.

Ardan View: Grade A. The residential area of Ardan View looked very well with spring flowers along one side of the road and plenty of tree planting throughout. The Dog Fouling Signage was accompanied by a sign asking the public to ‘Leash and Clean Up After Your Dog’ – signage was freshly presented. There was a complete absence of litter throughout the area surveyed.

Columcille Street: Grade A. The lovely paving along Columcille Street created a very fresh impression. There was a nice use of floral and on-street planters, some of which had wooden seating attached. The opportunity to ‘separate’ street waste is one to be welcomed – this is being increasingly rolled out throughout the country and great to see it in Tullamore. Columcille Street was excellent with regards to litter.

Car Park at The Bridge Centre: Grade A. Colourful planting / low lying shrubbery is a lovely feature at this car park. Apart from some cigarette butts / chewing gum, this was a very clean survey site. Signage relating to the use of the facility was in good order. Overall, this was a top-ranking site.

Cormac Street / Charleville Road: Grade A. A very welcoming approach to Tullamore with attractive flower beds - a wonderful bank of white spring flowers lined the base of one wall. Clean pavements / road surfaces / built environment were in very good condition.

N80 Portlaoise Approach Road: Grade A. Attractive floral displays and well attended roundabout contributed to the overall impression created along this route. Road surface / markings / signage were freshly presented, and the overall impression was of a very clean route leading into Tullamore.

The Bridge Centre: Grade B. The level of litter at this shopping centre environment was such that it was verging towards being seriously littered. Litter was particularly pronounced at the trolley bay at the building entrance. It was a mix of recent and long-lie items, mostly food related, with cigarette butts and shopping receipts.

Patrick Street: Grade B+. Cigarette butts were very much a feature along Patrick Street, particularly within the large planter boxes. There were a few separate provisions for same and yet they were a very obvious litter item, with lower levels of alcohol bottles and food related items.

Lock 27 at Canal Walk: Grade C+. An attractively presented waterside environment with pathway and bollards in good order. There were some litter items within the water, but it was really the vacant building which harboured most of the litter, much of it alcohol related. This area will only deteriorate further if not addressed.

Bring Facility at O’Connell Street & St. Kyran’s Street: Grade C. This site was by far the most heavily littered site surveyed in Tullamore. The ‘Bring Centre’ facility was freshly presented with bin units and associated signage in good order. However, it wasn’t just casually littered but subject to dumping. Items had also been ‘stuffed’ between and behind the units. The area to the rear of the units was heavily littered.