The Galway City Council started 2009 on a high note with the announcement this week that Galway has been voted Ireland’s cleanest city in the latest Irish Business Against Litter League results.
Galway city has shown an immense improvement appearing eighth on the overall IBAL League - the highest of any city in the Republic of Ireland. The survey was the final one conducted for 2008 and it was carried out by An Taisce.
Commenting on the result, An Taisce said: “Finishing in eighth position - a repeat of the 2007 result - is another great performance by Galway and it should be challenging for the top position in 2009.”
Some of the sites in Galway city commended by an Taisce include: The Limerick Approach Road which was “a very clean and tidy approach to Galway city” and “created a positive first impression”.
Rosshill Road, Roscam was described as “an excellent residential area”, “clear of litter”, and “very well maintained”. Gleann na Ri Shopping Centre was described as “in good order and there was virtually no litter”.
Grianach House School was reported to be “well respected by the users and carefully looked after by those responsible for the maintenance”. The entrance to Merlin Park Hospital has enjoyed “noticeable improvement”, being “very clean and well maintained”.
The Ballybrit Industrial Estate was “in very good condition”; the GMIT “continues to be very clean, tidy, and well maintained”; while the Renmore Sports Grounds “were well tended with a virtual absence of litter”.
City manager Joe MacGrath welcomed the results saying: “The Galway City Council’s Litter Management Plan in addition to continual work of the local community, environmental, and business organisations has ensured this impressive result.”
The manager has congratulated “every individual and organisation” who contributed to this achievement. He said the council will “continue to promote an anti litter attitude in Galway in 2009”.
Independent Cllr Terry O’Flaherty has also welcomed the results.
“This is good news and will be welcomed particularly by the business sector in the city who are funding this scheme through their annual rates,” she said. “Full credit must be given to Jimmy O’Connor and his team in the council’s environment department for the cleaning programme which commences at 5am each morning.”
