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.