Dundalk up seven places in IBAL Anti Litter League

Dundalk’s improved look saw the town jump seven places in the first round of the An Taisce IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter) Anti-Litter League.

Dundalk is now placed 22nd out of 40 towns and cities surveyed and was deemed ‘Clean to European Norms’.

The IBAL judging panel remarked on ‘another improved performance from Dundalk’ and the ‘pristine streetscape’ in the town centre, while also highlighting top ranking sites.

‘Particularly good sites included Dundalk Grammar School, Dunnes Stores Car Park, Dundalk Recycle Centre and Dundalk Town Centre – the streetscape here was particularly fresh in appearance and it was pristine throughout.’

There were some concerns raised however about a number of other sites.

‘Dundalk Institute of Technology was moderately littered– purely because of the prevalence of cigarette butts – if these were addressed it would be a top ranking site,’ according to the judges report.

‘Cigarette butts have been an issue at Dundalk IT in previous surveys. A former garage site on the road from Dublin presented poorly and was by far the most heavily littered site surveyed.’

Dundalk Train Station was awarded a grade B, with the ‘overall presentation of this train station was very good with platform, railway tracks and car park generally in good order. What brought down the litter grade was the litter in the shrubbery area, cigarette butts and sweet papers, with lower levels of cans and fast-food wrappers.’

Dundalk Institute of Technology was also awarded a grade B, with the judges remarking: ‘ The campus was in pristine condition – bar the very high level of cigarette butts, as per many previous IBAL surveys. The grounds were carefully maintained with grass, low lying shrubbery, seating areas, paving etc. all in excellent condition.’

Dundalk Grammar School was awarded a grade A status,l with high praise. ‘ This was an excellent site. The whole area was very well presentedand there was a complete absence of litter throughout. Clearly, this is a very well respected environment.’

The Dunnes Stores car park was also awarded a grade A with the surface, markings and signage all in very good condition and the overall presentation of this car park was a very fresh one. The area surveyed was spotless throughout.’

A Grade A was awarded to the Newry Road. described as a ‘clean and well presented road into Dundalk, with an attractively paved recessed area,with some seating, spotless. The cycle path and road were in very good order.’

The V&W Civic Amenity Recycling Centre was classed a ‘ top site’ also with a grade A. ‘Clearly the centre staff of this ‘ managed’ facility are extremely attentive, it was pristine,’ said the judges.

Dundalk Town Centre received high praise and a grade A award. ‘ This was an excellent site. The streetscape looked very fresh with paving, street bins, signage etc. all in very good order – it was pristine throughout,’ according to the report.

The Castleblaney approach road Grade B. A moderately littered road into Dundalk which passes through some terraced housing. Plastic bags, fast-food wrappers, cans and sweet papers and high levels of cigarette butts evident.

Oriel Park was given a grade A, with the judges noting ‘ the entrance and area immediately surrounding it were in very good order. It was a clean, tidy and well presented environment.’

But the derelict garage on the road from Dublin was given a grade C. ‘ This site presents poorly. An air of neglect prevails and litter has started to accumulate on the grounds – a wide variety of food related litter was present.’

N52 / M1 Drogheda – Dundalk Link Road awarded a grade B. ‘ The overall impression of this road was somewhat littered. A wide variety of food related litter was present,’ said the judges.