This article is from page 6 of the 2009-06-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
ENNIS has been listed as the second cleanest town in Ireland in the latest Irish Business Against Litter IBAL) anti-litter league survey.
Some 68 per cent of Irish towns and cities are now classed as “‘litter free’, including Ennis and Shannon, according to the latest survey.
However, the group is warning that many areas are likely to suffer this summer with the large-scale re- duction of weekend cleaning due to budget cuts.
Ennis finished in second position, holding onto its ‘Clean to European Norms’ status from the last round of 2008, whilst Shannon, having re-en- tered the league, has finished in 13th position, also “Clean to European \lereneky
The survey of 60 towns and cit- ies, conducted by An Taisce on be- half of IBAL, revealed Wexford to be Ireland’s cleanest town, ahead of Ennis. The number of “Litter Free” areas nationwide hit a record high of 41. Athlone and Mallow were the country’s sole litter blackspots, with Arklow ‘seriously littered’.
“An excellent result for Ennis – eight out of the ten sites surveyed got the top litter grade – these were not just clear of litter but fresh and well presented environments, Woodstock View, Kilrush Road Shopping Centre and Car Park, St Clare’s School and N85 approach and R475 approach roads,’ commented a spokesperson
for An Taisce.
An Tasice’s report described Wood- stock View as an “excellent site” while the report states that “there is certainly a feeling of house proud residents’ at Woodview, Radhairc na Coulle.
St Clare’s School was another site rated as ‘clean to European norms’.
“The overall impression at the grounds of this school was of a fresh, clean and well maintained site. Clearly it is not only well cared for but respected by the users’, the re-
port states.
Of Shannon’s performance, a spokesperson for An Taisce said, “Shannon has rejoined IBAL Anti- Litter Survey and it has scored very well with seven out of the ten sites surveyed getting the top litter grade. The remaining three sites were mod- erately littered. All four of the ap- proach routes surveyed got the top litter grade – creating a positive first impression of the town.”
Scoil Naoimh Padraig was rated as ‘Clean to European Norms’. “Not
only was this school environment clear of litter but it was also very well maintained – a credit to the pupils and those responsible for the mainte- nance,’ the report states.
Cul na gCeapagh and the Drum- geely Approach Road were also praised in An Taisce’s report.