Dundalk cleans up its act!
DUNDALK SECURED A TOP TEN PLACE IN THE IRISH BUSINESS AGAINST LITTER (IBAL) ANNUAL LEAGUE OF FORTY TOWNS SURVEYED. OLIVIA RYAN LOOKS AT WHERE HUGE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE
IT was a surprising top ten place for Dundalk when Irish Business Against Litter ( IBAL) Anti Litter League published last week
Surprising, in that the town had performed poorly in the last few years, slipping to 30th place out of 40 towns surveyed.
But a dedicated effort, both by voluntary groups, the local authority, and indeed the public has helped improve Dundalk’s overall ‘anti litter image’ and boost its IBAL profile.
The national anti litter league has become an important gauge of towns and villages around Ireland, shining a not always positive, light on their local environment.
The annual results have helped to boost the image of towns where a strong emphasis has been placed on keeping litter at bay, giving them an enviable national profile.
So too, as previous unfavourable reports from Dundalk have shown, can the IBAL league show up some of the country’s litter strewn areas.
But the past twelve months have helped put Dundalk on the map in the best light possible.
Having visited the town a number of times during the year, the IBAL judges reported on a vastly improved picture.
It was an ‘excellent showing’ for Dundalk, improving on earlier in 2018’ according to the panel who highlighted ‘some top ranking sites deserving a special mention - Court House Square was excellent in terms of presentation and paving; the wide paving on Clanbrassil Street creates a great sense of space and the overall presentation of the streetscape was good.’
The area was awarded a Grade A, with high praise from the judges, who said: ‘ The presentation of this town centre environment was excellent. Paving was very fresh in appearance and there was almost a virtual absence of litter throughout.’
There was an acknowledgement too of the work which has been done to improve problem area, with a grade A awarded to an area where there had been ‘a series of once derelict buildings on Francis Street.’
The judges commented: ‘ This range of buildings and the footpath in front got the top litter grade, but only just. The buildings, (approximately three in number) had peeling paint, empty name plates and shuttered windows with some items of litter.’
Also praised was Williamson’s Mall, with another grade A. ‘ The car park surface within the centre of this retail environment was fine with regard to litter. The style of litter bins didn’t appear to accommodate cigarette butts with the result that there was an accumulation of stubbed butts on the top of the bin which is potential litter on a windy day.’
Clanbrassil Street, where major renovation works are just beginning this week on the northern end, was awarded a grade A for its appearance during the judges visit.
‘ The overall presentation of Clanbrassil Street was a good one with wide paving creating a sense of space. The individual shops were in good order.’
But the IBAL judges also highlight areas where there appear to be ongoing problems.
Travelling out of the town centre, they surveyed Dundalk Institute of Technology, which was found ‘continues to suffer from heavy levels of cigarette butts.’
While the interior of DkIT was awarded a grade A for a complete absence of litter throughout the area surveyed, and the opportunity to recycle, there were concerns raised about the exterior which was awarded a grade B.
‘ The main campus was presented well with paving, grass area, planting, signage etc. in very good condition. But cigarette butts continue to be a big issue (was with many previous IBAL surveys), with lower levels of sweet papers and chewing gum.’
Moving on to another key site, the judges highlighted the ‘ Bring Centre’ by Dundalk Fire Station.
‘ This smallish facility presented well with signage and recycle units in good condition. It was let down by some litter to the front and more obviously to the rear of the units with a little extra care and attention this could easily be a top ranking site.
An analysis of out of town roadways proved fairly positive with the R177 Approach road awarded a Grade A.
‘All was in good order along this route pavement to one side and verges to the other, both were in good condition. There wasn’t any visible litter along the area surveyed.’
R132 Approach Road was also given a grade A, with the judges adding: ‘Grass verges and pavements on each side of the road were fine with regard to litter. The central median with lamp post was fresh in appearance.’
‘ The final area under the spotlight was the N52 outside Dundalk, which was also awarded a grade A, with no apparent litter visible at all along this very busy route.’
Louth County Council have been a key player in tackling areas where problems had emerged.
A spokesman said the local authority were delighted to see Dundalk’s improved position in the IBAL ranking.
‘ The Council has been working hard to maintain a high level of cleanliness in Dundalk including measures such as; a Concentration on clean ups on the major traffic hubs into town and routes to the train and Bus station.’
He explained that litter picks were being carried out in the main streets on a daily basis ‘augmenting what the contract sweeper does, and there has been a lot of work by council crews in replacing any damaged street furnishing bins, bollards and signage.
He added: ‘ The areas around town centre especially on Court House Square , Kelly’s Monument and Earl Street were power hosed by the council crews.’
In response to previous concerns, the local authority also ensured that approach roads to the town are being checked twice a week and litter picked, while grass margins are litter picked and maintained weekly.’
Ongoing measures to monitor and address any litter problems include: ‘Continually liaising with the Contract sweeper to have the Town centre footpaths and streets cleaned and all the street bins emptied and cleaned.’
The spokesman added that litter wardens ‘are liaising with shopkeepers and being proactive on illegal litter dumping.’
He pointed out that the bring banks in the five locations are checked on a daily basis and all the litter is routinely removed. ‘Unfortunately some litter was left behind this bring bank at Meadow Grove after inspection.’
The spokesman also paid tribute to all the groups involved in working to improve Dundalk’s appearance.
‘ The Tidy Towns Group and volunteers have made a huge impact throughout the Town during 2018 and this contributed significantly to the IBAL result aswell as winning a gold medal for Dundalk in the Tidy Towns awards.’