'Very strong performance' from Carlow in IBAL litter league sees it in top 15 in the country

The Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) league has praised "a very strong performance from Carlow" sees it rise in the rankings to 15th place in the country. 

Six out of the ten sites surveyed got the the top litter grade and there were no seriously littered sites.

"Clearly, tourism is a focus of this annual summer survey and unfortunately the major urban gateways to our towns and countryside – notably Dublin – are falling short of the mark, and creating an underwhelming first impression for visitors," according to Conor Horgan of IBAL.

"As a high-cost destination, tourists to Ireland can expect better. It’s a fact, too, that the great work being done in our towns is negated by litter in our cities".

The IBAL report for Carlow noted:

Top-ranking sites included all the approach roads and Hillview Drive. There was a definite improvement noted at
Mr Price Car Park – while still somewhat littered it was nowhere nearly as heavily littered as
many previous IBAL surveys.

R448 Approach from M7: Grade A. A freshly presented route with road surface / markings / signage
in very good order and some grass to the side of the pathway. There was a virtual absence of litter
throughout the area surveyed.

Hillview Drive: Grade A. There was an absence of litter at this large expanse of grass / green space
– the grass was in a more ‘natural’ state rather than manicured. The overall impression created here
was a positive one.

Liberty Tree Fountain / water feature: Grade A. This was a hive of activity at the time of survey with
musicians playing and plenty of people watching. Despite the number of people present, there was
minimal litter to be seen and no obvious items within the water.

Abandoned / Derelict site on Tullow Street: Grade A. Ex Bakers shop. Clearly a careful eye is kept
on this premises as there was no litter directly associated with it.

Tullow Street: Grade B. Some parts of this long shopping street were much fresher than others.
Graffiti was a feature on several different surfaces. Pavement was attractive along one stretch, but not
all. The main litter items were mostly food related e.g., mineral cans, sweet papers, plastic bags and
cigarette butts with lower levels of dog fouling present. Most of the litter was around the street furniture.

Mr Price Car Park: Grade B. There was a definite improvement on what had regularly been a heavily
littered site. However, it will require more effort to get to the top-ranking site. The area around the
perimeter of the car park had litter, graffiti was a feature and weed growth was pronounced along the
very narrow pathway.

Pedestrian Alley beside White's Pharmacy: Grade B. While moderately littered, the level was such
that it could easily become a seriously littered site. As well as heavy accumulations of cigarette butts,
other obvious litter items included plastic bags and sweet papers.

Bring Facility, Askea Church: Grade B. As well as loose litter items underfoot, particularly broken
glass, items had been stuffed between the units / behind them. The overall impression was of a facility
which requires more care and attention.

Hacketstown Approach – 726: Grade A. While not as fresh as some other roads, this wasn’t a littered
one.

448 Approach Road to Paulstown: Grade A. A freshly presented route with all aspects in good order
e.g., road surface / markings / signage and paving were in good condition. Grass central median was
clear of litter, as was the overall impression created along this road.