There is disappointment in Mullingar at the latest Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL ) rankings, which branded the town ‘moderately littered’ and was strongly critical of littering in the vicinity of the canal.
The report published this week places Mullingar 35th out of 53 towns surveyed in terms of litter levels. Several of the town’s approach roads and streets were regarded as ‘moderately littered’, including the Delvin and Longford approach roads, Dominick Street, and Market Square. Scoil Mhuire also received a disappointing result due to “scatterings of sweet papers, fast-food wrappers, and bus/train tickets”.
However, four locations in the town received glowing reports and were branded ‘clean to European norms’. There were the exterior of Mullingar Railway Station which was a “fresh, clean and well presented environment”, the “spotless” railway station interior, the Tullamore approach road, and the Sligo approach road.
The harshest criticism was reserved for the canal bank, which was described as having a ‘serious litter problem’; “Not only were there heavy levels of alcohol-related litter but the life-belt had been thrown into the water,” noted the report.
Reacting to the report, chairperson of Mullingar Tidy Towns, Brian Reidy, said it was disappointing, but it highlights that there is “always room for improvement”.
“You have to take notice of it [the IBAL report], it gives a fair reflection of the day of the visit. Normally the town is very good and it has come on a lot, but it depends on the time of day or what events are on in the town. It’s all about timing,” said Mr Reidy.
“We are happy with the improvement, we are up in the Tidy Towns rankings. There is a lot more effort during the summer months, a lot more activity.”
However, he said he would be contacting the Royal Canal Amenity Group to discuss what could be done to improve the litter situation on the canal banks.
“The canal bank is a concern. The Royal Canal Amenity Group are very active and do a great job but it needs more policing. With the canal being opened to the Shannon there will be more use and activity, and this might help stop some littering. The canal is the biggest amenity in the town so it is sad to see.”
