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June 23, 2009

IBAL Results - Response from LTTA

IBAL’s February, 2009 Survey of Leixlip has us up there again with towns “Clean to European Norms”, during dark and difficult working conditions.
Here’s how we responded to the local news media:
 
“Leixlip Tidy Town Association (Established 1963) is delighted with IBAL’s latest litter survey, finding the town still up there in the highest category, ‘Clean to European Norms’”. 
 
Seven out of ten Leixlip sites surveyed got the top grade.
 
“While there are now sixty towns in the survey, compared to 55 last time, when Leixlip also ranked 23rd, they are not the same towns and a strict comparison can’t be made. Two Kildare towns, Athy - which has performed erratically and badly in recent years’ adjudications - and Maynooth along with Greystones in Co Wicklow, which entered the scheme at the same time as Leixlip a few years ago, are no longer being appraised. It appears that they have been taken out because of a reluctance to have them appraised on the part of the county councils. If this is the case, it is defeating the objective of IBAL’s scheme.” Towns which fare badly within IBAL’s scheme will fare worse out of it.
 
“The collaboration of Leixlip’s Tidy Town Association, Town Council and reps from Kildare Co Council in pursuit of a cleaner local environment seems to be paying off. The three participate in an Anti-Litter or Tripartite Committee and meet occasionally to coordinate their activities. In March, 2009 the Committee met with an expert from an Taisce to discuss issues of concern, among them clarification of the town boundary used by an Taisce in the appraisal of litter.
 
Unfortunately, this has yet to be dealt with. “The current IBAL study, which is normally done in February, has mystified us as to how the Lucan to Celbridge Road and the M4 approach roads from Lucan Spa to Cooldrinagh roundabout are being held to be part of Leixlip, when clearly they are part of Lucan, Co Dublin! For this area the IBAL adjudicators noted a
Serious Litter Problem – this was by far the most heavily littered of all the sites surveyed in Leixlip. The base of the shrubbery/bushes was particularly bad with a ‘long-term’ build up of ‘old’ litter.
 
“We agree that it is, and has been, seriously littered. Anybody taking a bus from Palmerstown to the Spa Hotel, Lucan and thence across the Celbridge-Lucan road to Cooldrinagh will know that this area has rarely been cleaned. But cleansing it is principally the job of South Dublin County Council supplemented by Lucan’s volunteers. It is not a Leixlip or Kildare issue. We already cleanse the Dublin approach road (Leixlip Road) from Cooldrinagh roundabout to Leixlip village: this the judges said “was a clean and fresh approach into Leixlip.””
 
“It is ironic that Lucan was ranked 22nd (to Leixlip’s 23rd) when Leixlip is being held responsible for Lucan’s litter! We look forward to sorting this litter matter out with IBAL’s adjudicators in an Taisce asap.”
 
We congratulate Celbridge on their fine performance, well deserved, on this their first IBAL appraisal. We have plans to collaborate with them on our mutual approach roads.
 
Issued for Leixlip Tidy Town Association by John Colgan, PRO, LTTA, to whom it may be attributed as spokesperson for LTTA.
Enquiries to 085 100 73 69 or 01 6244631

IBAL Report for Leixlip - February 2009

What IBAL’s Report for LEIXLIP said, following its 1st Round appraisal which was done about February 2009
Leixlip was placed 23rd out of 60 towns and cities surveyed.
 
“Leixlip has scored very well with seven out of the ten sites surveyed getting the top litter grade. The top ranking sites were not just clear of litter but in excellent condition e.g. Ralph Square, Rye River Walk and The Mall. Three of the excellent sites were approach roads. The fourth approach road was by far the most heavily littered site surveyed – M4 Motorway and Celbridge to Lucan Road – much of the litter along this route was ‘old’ indicating a lack of thorough cleaning for quite some time. (Our ob: this area is in Lucan, Co Dublin, not in Leixlip! Lucan was placed 22nd!) 
 
Maynooth Approach Road: Clean to European Norms. An excellent site – completely clear of litter and very well maintained. Created a very good first impression of Leixlip. (Our ob: LTTA and Maynooth TTA recently carried out a joint cleanup of this area; see pics on our website)
 
William Francis Roantree Park by Liffey: Moderately Littered. This is an attractive environment with ornamental trees and seating area – unfortunately the users of same have not availed of the litter bins provided. Litter was most pronounced in the area surrounding the wooden seating.
 
Ralph Square: Clean to European Norms. This is a well-cared-for site with the built environment in good condition. The overall impression was positive.
 
The Mall, Main Street: Clean to European Norms. The immaculately preserved houses have been adorned with some ornamental trees and flowering – the whole area was in impeccable condition.
 
Leixlip Dispensary Car Park: Moderately Littered. Most of the litter at this site was in the shrubbery area surrounding the car park – sweet papers and coffee cups were particularly obvious. Cigarette butts dominated the paved area.
 
Rye to Liffey Riverside Walk: Clean to European Norms. This is a lovely amenity which has been carefully maintained – benches, railings, flowers and shrubbery areas were all in very good condition. (Our Ob: this is a new development, credit for which should go to the Co Council’s Park Superintendent, Simon Wallace, who created it and is part of the Roantree linear park plan)
 
Scoil Chearbhaill Ui Dhalaigh: Clean to European Norms. This was a spotless site. The build environment and surrounding area was in very good condition.
 
N4/ R148 Leixlip-Lucan, Dublin Approach Road: Clean to European Norms. This was a clean and fresh approach into Leixlip. The road works which were taking place didn’t impact in any negative way on the litter situation.
 
M4 Motorway and Celbridge to Lucan Road Nexus: Serious Litter Problem. This was by far the most heavily littered of all the sites surveyed in Leixlip. The base of the shrubbery / bushes was particularly bad with a ‘long-term’ build up of ‘old’ litter. (Our Ob: the area isn’t in Leixlip; it’s a half a mile deep into Lucan, Co Dublin and the responsibility of South Dublin Co Council and Lucan volunteers.)
 
Confey Approach Road: Clean to European Norms. There was no litter to report on this smaller approach route – it was clear of litter and well maintained.

IBAL Results Feb 2009 - Countrywide

Click below for countrywide table.

IBAL Anti Litter League 1st Round Results Table 2009
Ranking
Town/City
Status
1.      
Wexford
‘Clean to European Norms’
2.      
Ennis
‘Clean to European Norms’
3.      
Youghal
‘Clean to European Norms’
4.      
Carlow
‘Clean to European Norms’
5.      
Dun Laoghaire
’Clean to European Norms’
6.      
Swords
’Clean to European Norms’
7.      
Balbriggan
’Clean to European Norms’
8.      
Longford
’Clean to European Norms’
9.      
Roscommon
’Clean to European Norms’
10.    
Killarney
’Clean to European Norms’
11.    
Sligo
’Clean to European Norms’
12.    
Monaghan
’Clean to European Norms’
13.    
Shannon
’Clean to European Norms’
14.    
Celbridge
’Clean to European Norms’
15.    
Ballincollig
’Clean to European Norms’
16.    
Bray
’Clean to European Norms’
17.    
Tramore
’Clean to European Norms’
18.    
Newcastlewest
’Clean to European Norms’
19.    
Newbridge
’Clean to European Norms’
20.    
Tuam
’Clean to European Norms’
21.    
Cavan
’Clean to European Norms’
22.    
Lucan
’Clean to European Norms’
23.    
Leixlip
’Clean to European Norms’
24.    
Navan
’Clean to European Norms’
25.    
Cobh
’Clean to European Norms’
26.    
Dundalk
’Clean to European Norms’
27.    
Drogheda
’Clean to European Norms’
28.    
Tralee
’Clean to European Norms’
29.    
Midleton
’Clean to European Norms’
30.    
Thurles
’Clean to European Norms’
31.    
New Ross
’Clean to European Norms’
32.    
Ashbourne
’Clean to European Norms’
33.    
Fermoy
’Clean to European Norms’
34.    
Letterkenny
’Clean to European Norms’
35.    
Dungarvan
’Clean to European Norms’
36.    
Mullingar
’Clean to European Norms’
37.    
Ballinasloe
’Clean to European Norms’
38.    
Ballina
’Clean to European Norms’
39.    
Blanchardstown
’Clean to European Norms’
40.    
Castlebar
’Clean to European Norms’
41.    
Enniscorthy
’Clean to European Norms’
42.    
Galway City
Moderately Littered
43.    
Clonmel
Moderately Littered
44.    
Tullamore
Moderately Littered
45.    
Buncrana
Littered