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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Two sites repeatedly bringing Wexford down in litter rankings – ‘It wasn't just littered, but dumped upon'
While the town can be happy enough with a rank of 17th of 40 towns surveyed and a status of 'clean to European norms', it would have figured much higher in the rankings were it not for two repeat offenders – the Rope Walk car park and the bring facility in Tesco car park. Every year, the adjudicators single out these locations, but it appears that there's little appetite for those in charge of the sites to do anything about it. "These two sites have been consistently heavily littered, bringing down the overall ranking for the town. The Rope Walk car park remains heavily littered and the Bring Facility at Tesco was not just littered, but dumped upon.' Handing out a 'Grade C' to The Rope Walk car park, the adjudicators stated: 'There has been little change to the litter status over the last number of IBAL visits with litter seemingly a low priority for those running/managing this car park. "The main car park surface area was generally fine, but the perimeter harboured heavy levels of a wide variety of food and alcohol related items, along with some bedding. Broken glass was also a feature at the vehicular entrance and there was graffiti on a wide variety of surfaces.' There was even more frustration for the adjudicators reserved for the bottle banks, recycling facilities and clothes banks at Tesco, which earned a 'Grade D+'. "The front of the bottle / can units presented with bin units in good order and signage fresh and clean. However, a duvet was hanging out of one of the clothing units with substantial bedding material on the ground beneath,' the report stated. "The area to the side and rear of the units had suffered from significant dumping of bags of rubbish and miscellaneous items.' Frustratingly, every other site inspected by the adjudicators received a 'Grade A' – The Rocks Heritage Trail, The Quay, approach roads, North Main Street, Selskar College and Wexford Arts Centre – drawing some very complimentary remarks in the process. However, the same two sites have resulted in the town's overall ranking being dragged down. ADVERTISEMENT Having won awards for her work as Chairperson of Wexford Tidy Towns, Phil Murphy was extremely frustrated by the report. "I'm sick to the back teeth of those sites,' she said. 'It's actually quite upsetting now to be honest with you. We (Tidy Towns) are out there twice a week and we do little litter picks ourselves too. Every now and again, we'll go into those sites and tidy them up, but we shouldn't really have to because they're privately owned. "You could find anything dumped in The Rope Walk car park. Bags of rubbish, sofas, anything. "It's really frustrating because we work so hard. We have a dedicated team of around 15 or 20 that are out every single week tidying up. Wexford used to always be up near the top of these surveys and these sites are the only reason we're not now.'
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Galway litter blackspots highlighted in latest IBAL report
In a recently published report, the group Irish Business Against Litter ranked 40 towns and cities nationwide from the cleanest to the most littered. Galway City Centre was ranked tenth on the list, gaining one position since the previous survey, published in January. However, this time Galway City Centre was labelled 'Clean to European Norms', and not 'Cleaner than European Norms' like in early 2025. In particular, two areas, Galway Regional Hospital and South Park Jetty, were found heavily littered. The An Taisce report reads: 'Galway City Centre again scored very well with 16 out of 25 sites getting the top litter grade and there were just two seriously littered ones. 'Top ranking sites included the Galway Famine Ship Memorial, Galway Shopping Centre, IDA Galway Business Park and The Prom. These sites were not just good with regards to litter, but overall presentation and maintenance was excellent. 'Galway Regional Hospital continues to be plagued by heavy levels of cigarette butts (and lower levels of food related litter). The South Park Jetty was heavily littered.' The report highlighted at Galway Regional Hospital litter was mainly found at the Emergency Department entrances, with cigarette butts and food-related items as the most obvious litter items. While South Park Jetty was described as 'almost like a boat graveyard' as 'the debris on the ground presented poorly, along with casually discarded litter.' The report also added there was little improvement in Ballybane, in Galway City, since the previous inspection. Ballybane was ranked 37th – losing two positions since the last report, where the area was in 35th position – and labelled as 'Littered', with Ballybane Industrial Estate and Ballybane Village being described as litter blackspots. The An Taisce report reads: 'As a general note, extensive works / road works were noted at a couple of sites – they didn't impact in any negative way on the litter situation and will most likely contribute to an enhanced environment going forward. 'Ballybane Industrial Estate and Ballybane Village were both litter blackspots - they have been stubbornly so, for a long number of years. The Recycle Facility at Ballybane Shopping Centre was very much deserving of the top litter grade.' In Ballybane Industrial Estate, IBAL said the old and broken signage already 'sets the tone for what lies ahead'. The report reads inspectors found the yellow railing was bent and 'badly decayed', while much of the litter was around the unused outlets and in the immediate vicinity of the signage for Gordon Ryan Engineering Ltd. 'This area was particularly poor, not just littered but subject to dumping, much of it industrial debris e.g. wooden pallets / broken signage / bags of rubbish etc.' In Ballybane Village, IBAL found 'very heavy levels of casual littering', with a wide variety of food related items, there were alcohol cans / bottles, newspapers, and plastic mouldings. They added the shrubbery area had been subject to dumping and there were no visible litter bins or litter awareness signs. 'The overall impression here is a very poor one. Where does the responsibility for the cleaning regime at this area lie?'
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Roscommon town scores well in litter survey despite increased dumping at local wasteland
Recording its best performance 'in a number of years', seven surveyed sites in the county town recorded the highest possible ranking. These include Roscommon GAA's home grounds in King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, Main Street and The Square. The N61, N63 Approach, N63 Galway Approach Road and the 'absolutely spotless' Aldi deposit return scheme also received Grade A rankings. The latest IBAL survey makes Roscommon town 'clean to European norms'. In their report, An Taisce surveyors said the laneway between Fire Station and Circle K was 'a much-improved area compared to a couple of years ago, with much of the large pieces of metal waste and old sofas removed'. 'The installation of a gate appears to be having the desired effect i.e. preventing access. Litter items this time around were much smaller in nature e.g. fast-food wrappers and plastic bags, along with a sort of metal canister,' they stated. Surveyors expressed concern about the level of dumping at the waste land adjacent to recycle facility, which received Grade D. Roscommon County Council have told An Taisce that the site is 'beyond their remit' and have attempted to contact the owner of the site. 'While this site has been highlighted in many previous IBAL surveys, the level of dumping appears to be increasing. All manner and vast quantities of materials have been dumped upon a vast expanse of wasteland,' the IBAL report on Roscommon town stated. Described as 'moderately littered' in an IBAL survey in June 2024, Roscommon town has risen from 27th place to 23rd out of 40 towns since the last IBAL survey was published in January. The results of the latest report have been welcomed by Roscommon Tidy Towns. In 2024, the town was awarded Ireland's Best Kept Large Town award in the all-island, Best Kept Town Competition.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Waterford is crowned Ireland's cleanest city in IBAL litter league
Waterford's Ballybeg area is also in 15th place, and 'clean to European norms,' according to the report issued on Monday, June 16. The An Taisce report stated: 'Waterford city has retained its high ranking position and was again Ireland's cleanest city. With so many top ranking sites, it's not possible to mention them all, but some stand out for various reasons. 'The Mall, beautifully presented and maintained, the shopping area of Barrow Street - Broad Street, Viking Triangle - Museum Quarter, Quays - River Walk and Lombard Street - William Street, the latter, while not quite as beautiful as the others deserves a mention as clearly as it was clear of litter, despite plenty of closed down, derelict sites. 'There was only one heavily littered site - the bring bank at Tesco Ardkeen. Improvements were noted at 'Woodpecker' site, Apple Market Car Park and Site beside Vee Car Park.' Meanwhile, the An Taisce report for Ballybeg stated: 'A slight slip on 2024 but a solid result for Ballybeg with half of the sites surveyed getting the top litter grade and just one seriously littered one. 'There were no litter blackspots. The residential area of Ardmore Terrace and Ballybeg Stores and environs were much improved compared to previous IBAL surveys, just missing the top litter grade this time around. By far the most heavily littered site was Ballybeg bring bank – it wasn't just littered but dumped upon.' Waterford city SETU, Cork Road: Grade A. 'As with many previous IBAL surveys, this site was very much deserving of the top litter grade. New signage looked very well. There was lovely planting throughout and plenty of litter bins at the entrances to the various buildings. There were no visible litter issues throughout an extensive survey.' Cork Road Approach: Grade A. 'All was in good order along this busy route, with fast moving traffic. There were no visible litter issues throughout. Newrath Roundabout Approach, R445: Grade B+. 'Most of this fast-moving route was clear of typical food related items but it was impossible to ignore the industrial plastic wrapping and cardboard and a couple of clothing items.' Waterford Greenway Car Park and Environs: Grade A. 'All aspects of this car park environment and the start of the popular Greenway were in very good order, for example, car park signage, dog fouling poop and scoop facility, drinking water fountain, greenway signage. It was excellent with regards to litter.' Gradecieu Heights - 40-70: Grade A. 'An exceptionally freshly presented residential development with all aspects in very good order, for estate signage, grass areas and tree planting. Clearly a well-cared for environment.' Bring Bank, Carrickphierish Road: Grade A. 'A small 'on-street' facility with five recycle units. The whole environment was absolutely spotless. Unusually, there was no signage associated with the use of the facility but there were no litter issues at all. As the units were 'free-standing', that is not flush against any wall, there was no area to hide, stuff items, as so often happens with such Bring Banks.' Cleaboy Business Park: Grade B. 'The majority of this business park was freshly presented, with nice tree planting and grassy area - all were in very good order and generally the site was very good with regards to casually discarded litter. 'A lovely feature was the 'coffee cart' with picnic tables and sun umbrellas, both of which were being taken advantage of on a sunny May day. A fence from an adjoining site had fallen into the business park, the contents of which were beginning to impinge upon same, mostly builders' rubble. This will need to be addressed before deteriorating further.' Apple Market Car Park: Grade B. 'While somebody is claiming 'ownership' of this car park, by charging for the use of same, they don't appear to be applying a thorough cleaning regime as there was a definite litter presence around the perimeter. While the levels of litter were not quite as high as previous IBAL surveys, the overall appearance was poor and could easily encourage a careless attitude to prevail.' Site beside Vee Car Park: Grade B. 'Levels of litter at this site were not quite as high as previous IBAL Surveys, however, there was still a definite presence around the perimeter, at the base of the fencing of this miscellaneous site. 'Clearly, it needs constant monitoring. There was plenty of 'anti-litter' signage attached to the fence.' Waterford Retail Park: Grade A. 'A large expanse of retail space with extensive car parking - this was enhanced by regular rows of tree-planting - very welcome in such a vast car park environment. The overall impression was an exceptionally freshly presented retail environment which was very well presented and maintained.' Bring Bank, Tesco, Ardkeen: Grade C. 'A slight change to this facility is the removal of the clothing units. Many of the bottle units were full, overflowing, with bags of bottles piled up at the base of the units. Cardboard boxes had been 'stuffed' between the units. The overall impression created at this facility was a poor one.' Deposit Return Scheme, Lidl, Ardkeen: Grade A. 'This in-store facility was completely spotless. There was no liquid on the ground, as sometimes happens at such facilities. Overall, it was excellent.' The Mall: Grade A. 'Plenty of signage indicates the historic nature and significant of many of the buildings along The Mall. There was no litter associated with the large building which was covered in scaffolding. 'All aspects of The Mall were in excellent order, not just very good with regards to litter but the overall presentation and maintenance of same, for example, visitor information signage, 3D models, and seating. and the recent restoration of 'O'Sullivan's is a wonderful addition to the area.' Woodpecker site: Grade B. 'The 'For Sale' sign is no longer displayed, and this site appears to be used as a sort of informal car park. Miscellaneous items included pieces of wood, broken signage and some food related items. Overall impression is quite poor, though not as heavily littered as previous IBAL surveys.' Viking Triangle, Museum Quarter: Grade A. 'The Bishops Palace was covered in scaffolding , associated plastic sheeting - clearly a careful eye is kept on it as there was no litter directly associated with the building works. 'The lovely planted, paved areas looked very well and there was a very eye catching sculpture outside the Museum of Time. There was a complete absence of litter throughout this extensive area.' Barronstrand - Broad Street: Grade A. 'These two adjoining shopping streets are typically top ranking - things were no different this time around, despite plenty of outdoor dining, relaxing in the sun on a warm May afternoon. 'Lovely opportunities for seating in public realm, covered area. Both sections of this main shopping thoroughfare were very much deserving of the top litter grade.' Quays - Riverwalk: Grade A. 'A long expanse of riverwalk from The Tower Hotel to the Bridge, some of which has been boarded up for the extensive works taking place along the river. Excellent visitor information signage close to Reginald's Tower. 'Large planter boxes looked very well, and the William Vincent Wallace Plaza was spotless. There was a virtual absence of litter along the remainder of the length of the riverwalk.' Ferrybank Approach: Grade B, from Texaco station. 'The main road surfaces -pavings were clear of litter, any small items were scattered on the grass of the left hand side as one approaches the bridge and over the low wall, just before the roundabout at the bridge. Items were all food related and cigarette butts.' Plunkett - Waterford Train Station: Grade A. 'All was in good order at this train station. 'Anti-smoking' signage was painted on the ground, directly outside the entrance to the station building. Colourful, illustrative signage 'Past Tracks' looked very well. Planted area, raised flower beds were 'kindly donated by Mount Congreve Estate'.' Bus Eireann, The Quays: Grade A. 'For many, many years, this station has been very much deserving of the top litter grade. 'Based on the anti-litter signage and notices reminding the public that cigarette butts are litter, clearly it is taken very seriously by those responsible for the management of same. It was spotless throughout - well done to all concerned. As well as regular litter bins, there were 'green' street bins for recyclables - a newish feature at this station.' Lombard Street - William Street: Grade A. 'There were several derelict - boarded up properties along this stretch, but clearly a careful eye is kept on them as there was no litter directly associated with them. Several signs indicate former residents, for example, Anna Managhan, William Hobson, John Hearne.' People's Park: Grade A. 'A real treasure, just minutes from the bustling city centre, this large expanse of park environment was looking very well, with a virtual absence of litter throughout. 'Features included a café, outdoor dining, picnic tables, playground, skateboard park, and playing field. A much used and clearly very well respected environment.' Waterford Courthouse – Grounds: Grade A. 'The grounds of Waterford Court House were beautifully presented and maintained with a complete absence of litter throughout.' City Square Shopping Centre: Grade A. 'The various entrances and interiors of this city centre shopping centre were completely spotless.' Tramore Approach Road: Grade A. 'A freshly presented route, creating a positive first impression of Waterford City. There were no visible litter issues. The tree-lined stretch close to Kingfisher Sports Centre looked very well.' Ballybeg Ballybeg Drive Roundabout to Ballybeg Link Road Roundabout: Grade A. 'An excellent stretch of road in terms of presentation and maintenance. Bicycle paths, paving, road surface, markings and signage were all in good order. There were no visible litter issues.' Ballybeg Bring Bank, Tesco: Grade C. 'Items left beside the recycle bins included a suitcase, not accepted at this facility, a bag full of other miscellaneous items, non-recyclable. Somebody came along in their big car and left a bag of clothing 'neatly' beside the clothing bank, which didn't appear to be full, and there were several other clothing units available.' Deposit Return Scheme, Tesco: Grade A. 'There was a complete absence of litter at this 'in-store' facility. There didn't appear to be any receptacle for 'reject' items, just a sign indicating that there were litter bins at the store entrance. Ballybeg Playground - Park: Grade A. 'A small park - play environment which was very freshly presented and maintained, for example, seating, play equipment, signage and litter bin. The dog fouling facility was just outside the park itself. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout.' Kilbarry Cemetery: Grade A. 'What is so striking about this site on a warm May morning, was the array of birdsong, enjoying the abundance of trees within. There was a complete absence of litter throughout this Waterford Council managed facility. An air of calm serenity prevailed.' Ballybeg Stores and Environs: Grade B+. "There were minimal litter items to the front of the store but the associated car parking and area to the end of the row of buildings were somewhat littered - the litter at the latter appeared 'long-lie', indicating a lack of thorough cleaning for quite some time. Main items were food related, along with a broken street cone.' Ballybeg Drive: Grade B. 'Fast-food wrappers and sweet papers were the most obvious litter items along this road, along both sides of the road. The majority of the litter was within the grassy areas.' St Saviours GAA: Grade A. 'All appeared in very good order along the stretch that fronted onto Ballybeg Drive and the visible areas behind the fencing. The overall appearance was of a well-cared for environment.' Ardmore Terrace: Grade B+. 'In previous IBAL surveys the wide expanse of grass harboured large, miscellaneous items. This time around, the area was much improved. Small items of food related litter prevented the top litter grade.' Priory Lawn: Grade B. 'This is a residential area, off Ballybeg Drive - rear of Ballybeg stores - the area close to Ballybeg Stores appeared more littered, particularly on the grass, to the rear of Ballybeg Stores and Environs. The overall impression was of a moderately littered environment.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Areas in Dublin and Cork 'seriously littered' despite nationwide improvement
Areas in Dublin and Cork were two of the most littered in the country despite a nationwide improvement on last year, the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey shows. The new report revealed that the number of areas deemed littered or worse is at its lowest in five years. Cork city's northside and Dublin's north inner city both featured at the bottom of the rankings and were labelled as "seriously littered". Only two of the 25 sites surveyed in Dublin's north inner city area warranted a 'clean' grade - the lowest number in years. IBAL's Conor Horgan said: "Unfortunately litter was everywhere in the north inner city, in stark contrast to the city centre just a few streets away." He stressed the negative impact of waste collection by bags instead of bins as "greater than ever", with scavenging by gulls a persistent problem. "We need the council to come good on its intention to convert the entire city to bin collection services. "In addition, it is high time that appropriate legal changes were brought into effect to allow the council to pursue those responsible for littered basements, an age-old blight on our capital city," he added. Meanwhile, Dublin and Cork city centres were noted as being "clean for peak tourist season". According to the An Taisce report for Dublin city centre, "considerable improvements" were noted at sites previously deemed as heavily littered. These included sites on Middle Abbey Street, O'Connell Street, Nth. Frederick Street and beside the Jervis Luas. Dumping on Dominic Lane and a littered basement on Parnell Square prevented the capital from attaining a "clean" status. However, the environs of Dublin Airport, typically found to be clean, were this time found by the An Taisce inspectors to be "moderately littered". Naas was once again top of the ranking of 40 towns and cities, ahead of Ennis and Killarney. Overall, two-thirds of towns were clean, which was up on last year. The survey found the main streets of towns to be generally clean, as were heritage and amenity sites. Residential areas, bus and train stations and recycle facilities were most likely to be littered. The report also noted a fall-off in disposable vape litter, adding that the prevalence of coffee cups on our streets "remains stubbornly high". Plastic bottle and can litter are down 50% on previous levels one year on from the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme. However, they were still found in 20% of the 500-plus sites surveyed across the country. "We hope that the scheme will see the disappearance of this litter, but statistics so far do not bear this out.
