What the IBAL Anti-Litter League report had to say about Longford

The final litter survey of 2022 by business group Irish Business Against Litter shows Longford is clean, but its 27th spot represents a disappointing slide on its 5th position it held last summer. 

Here is are the contents of the 'An Taisce Report – IBAL Anti-Litter League, Survey 2, 2022' report 

"Longford: 27th out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Clean to European Norms.

A former IBAL winner, Longford has again slipped down the league, despite five top ranking sites. It was the presence of three seriously littered sites which brings down the overall position.

In the experience of IBAL, it is unusual to see such a heavily littered main shopping street. The Recycle Bank and Library also presented very poorly. The latter wasn’t just littered but the grounds were very poorly presented and maintained.

L3011 Park Road Approach: Grade A. There was a virtual absence of litter along this relatively quiet route. All elements were in good order.

Mac Eoin Park: Grade A. Apart from a few isolated items this was a well-attended residential area. Pathways were clear and signage, tree planting and grass areas were in good order.

Recycle Bank: Grade C. The presentation of this facility was good with the bin units and the signage associated with the usage of same in good order. As well as loose litter items around the base of the units, several large bags of items had been placed to the rear of the units.

Main Street & Ballymahon Street: Grade C. It is quite unusual in IBAL surveys to see a main shopping street so heavily littered. There was a significant litter presence throughout, mostly food related, along with plastic ties on poles and alcohol cans. The litter was particularly noticeable along Main Street.

Courthouse: Grade A. The Courthouse and associated buildings, courthouse office, were freshly presented and maintained. Paving, planting, railings etc. were in very good order. Apart from some cigarette butts, there were no other litter issues.

Longford Library: Grade C. An air of neglect prevailed in this environment. It wasn’t just casually littered but there were a couple of separate accumulations. The one street bin was full / overflowing. The grounds presented poorly.

Longford Medical Centre: Grade A. A very freshly presented environment with signage, low lying planting, paving etc. in good order. There was a complete absence of litter in the area surveyed.

St. Joseph’s National School: Grade A. There was a virtual absence of litter visible within the school grounds – nothing significant enough to bring down the litter grade.

R393 Ardagh Approach Road: Grade B. (From the railway bridge to the junction with the Cathedral) There was a noticeable litter presence along this route. The most obvious items were plastic bottles with lower levels of coffee cups, mineral cans, fast-food wrappers and plastic bags.

N5 Approach Road: Grade B+. There were too many small food related items for the top litter grade. This took away from an otherwise well-presented route."