Athlone has retained the ‘clean’ title it earned in last year’s Anti-Litter League; however the latest report reveals that some sites are still plagued by chewing gum, litter, and rubbish dumping.
The majority of areas of the town surveyed in the latest IBAL (Irish Businesses Against Litter ) survey earned Grade A or B status as clean and litter-free sites. While Athlone fell five places to 31 out of 42 towns surveyed, it has remained in the same ‘clean’ category.
The N6 bypass was a top ranking site, described by the inspectors as “meticulously maintained and very fresh in appearance”. Athlone’s main street was also found to be very clean and well-maintained.
However, two of the approach roads, the Coosan Point approach road and M6 Dublin Road were moderately littered particularly with food-related litter.
When it came to specific businesses and sites, there were compliments for the area surrounding the Prince of Wales Hotel, as well as Garrycastle GAA Club which was described as a “very clean environment”.
The inspectors also found that the car park, trolley bay, low lying planting, ornamental trees, and entrance to the shopping centre at Golden Island were “in excellent condition – very fresh and clean in appearance”.
The council’s recycling facility at Golden Island was a top ranking site and well maintained; however there was concern over the approach road to the facility which was described as “virtually a litter blackspot”.
“The litter here was not directly associated with the adjoining recycle facility but simply a very casual attitude to disposal of rubbish – despite an obvious ‘No Dumping’ sign,” said the inspectors.
The prominence of chewing gum on pavements and car parks in several areas also came in for criticism.
The inspectors also visited The Bawn, where they said “an air of neglect” prevailed as it was heavily littered and grubby in appearance.
Welcoming the mostly positive report for Athlone, Cllr Alan Shaw said Athlone had come a long way since being identified as a ‘litter blackspot’ in June 2009.
“Eight reports later we are ‘clean to European norms’ for the fourth time. Since that time, Athlone Town Council has been at the forefront of investment in litter management and has embraced a strong partnership approach with Athlone Tidy Towns committee. Investing €140,000 in Athlone Tidy Towns in 2013, the results in achieving a tidier, more caring environment are there to be seen,” he said.
He complimented town engineer Mr Pat Nally, council staff, and the Tidy Towns committee led by John Butler for their work.
Elsewhere in the Midlands, Mullingar’s result was disappointing at 39th out of 42 and an overall ‘littered’ status, while Tullamore was higher up the list at 11th place with an impressive ‘cleaner than European norms’ status.
