The latest survey in the Anti-Litter League by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL ) shows Ballina and Castlebar have both lost their cleaner than European norms status in this round, with both now classed as moderately littered. Of 42 towns and cities surveyed this summer, Ballina and Castlebar have dropped from fourth and fifth place respectively to 34th and 35th. IBAL has warned that vacant properties in towns are a growing concern, despite continued progress on litter nationwide.
The Ballina An Taisce report stated: “A big drop for Ballina from 2012— it is much further down the IBAL Anti-Litter league than other towns with six top ranking sites due to the presence of three very heavily littered sites—Market Square Car Park was a litter blackspot and Bunree Road Shopping Centre and Downhill House Hotel were seriously littered. Ballina Arts Centre and the Ice House Hotel were both very nicely presented and maintained environments.”
According to the report for Castlebar: “A disappointing drop from 2012 — the presence of a seriously littered and a litter blackspot site brings down the overall ranking in Castlebar – this takes away from the five top ranking sites. John Moore Road was in very good order. The Linenhall Arts Centre and Clydagh Park (residential ) were nicely presented and maintained as well as being clear of litter. The recycle facility at the town centre shopping centre and the TF Hotel were both moderately littered. The Welcome Inn was seriously littered, and by far the worst site surveyed in Castlebar was the town centre shopping centre – one of the most littered in the country - a very unwelcoming environment for any potential shoppers.”
