Athlone is deemed ‘cleaner than European norms’ a summer survey of litter levels by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL ) has revealed, positioning in twelfth position from forty towns and cities across the country which were ranked.
An Taisce assessed litter levels over the summer months on behalf of IBAL, with the report on Athlone revealing a strong performance.
‘The town has achieved its best ranking in years. There was attractive ‘olde’ style street signage indicating places of interest in the town and olde style street lamps (e.g. John Broderick Street ). Seven out of the ten sites surveyed in Athlone got the top litter grade- some of the top ranking sites included Fairgreen Car Park, John Broderick Street and the Kilmartin N6 Centre. Burgess Park was also a top ranking site with regard to litter but it was noted that many of the signs relating to fish/ water birds/flora were covered in grime and almost illegible.’
Set up in 1996, IBAL is an alliance of companies sharing a belief that continued economic prosperity, notably in the areas of tourism, food and direct foreign investment, is contingent on a clean, litter-free environment.
As part of the IBAL Anti-Litter League, An Taisce monitors towns independently and in accordance with international grading standards.
