This article is from page 10 of the 2012-01-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE authors of the 2011 report for the Irish Business Against Litter League (IBAL) have praised the work of “house proud” resident’s committees in Ennis.
Ennis was classed as clean to European norms and ranked in 16th place in IBAL’s annual results, details of which were announced yesterday.
An Taisce surveyed 10 areas in the town with Grade A marks bestowed on six business parks, housing estates and public spaces.
An Taisce described Ballymaley Business Park as “very clean, tidy and well presented industrial environment. The vacant unit didn’t impact in any negative way on the litter situation – this can easily happen so clearly close attention is paid.”
The report states that while Ennis bus and train station “just scraped getting a Grade A”, “the bus shelter deserves special mention as it had improved hugely since it was last included in IBAL anti-litter survey”.
According to An Taisce, the overall impression created of Kincora Park is “of a house-proud residential area with well cared for properties. The communal area was enhanced with planting and sculpture – a top ranking site throughout”.
College Park is described as “another very well presented and maintained residential area within Ennis – the individual properties and the open green were all in very good order”.
The report states that the O’Connell Monument is an “important site”, adding, “the steps of this monument are used as a meeting place and in spite of footfall it scored very well with the top litter grade. Care needs to be taken to ensure that cigarette butts don’t blight the monument.”
There was found to be “virtual absence of litter in this main shopping area”.
O’Connell Street was given a Grade B with An Taisce noting a “scattering” of litter that had become trapped in corners.
An Taisce noted that most of the Galway Approach Road (Grade B) is in “good order but it was let down by litter”.
Scratch cards and food litter were highlighted in the car park near Ennis station. The N18 Limerick approach road (from Topaz station / West County Hotel to junction at Ennis Service Station) also received a Grade B.
The report states, “There had been some improvement along this approach road but it was still moderately littered – fast-food wrappers and sweet papers were particularly obvious.”