Tullamore retains clean status in latest litter survey

Tidy towns groups in Tullamore are celebrating the news this week that the town has retained its 'Clean to European norms' status in the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey, and is now ranked 19th out of the 40 towns and cities surveyed across the country – a jump of four places from the last survey conducted at the end of 2023.

At the end of last year, Tullamore was ranked at number 23 in the IBAL survey, - an improvement on the 26th place standing in the mid-2023 report but a a drop of three places from the 20th place ranking the town achieved in the final IBAL survey for 2022.

The IBAL report described the latest survey results for Tullamore as “another strong result with no heavily littered sites” and added that. “more importantly, previously poor sites have been addressed.” They singled out the Canal Side parking area in the town where the Bring Centre was removed due to dumping and a vacant site on Offaly Street as two sites which were “much cleaner than previously.”

In relation to the Cloncollig housing estate, the IBAL judges found there was “a definite litter presence” in this area, and noted that it was at levels that “could quickly deteriorate to a seriously littered state.”

Four of the ten areas surveyed in Tullamore receiving a Grade A rating, including Columcille Street where the overall impression was “an excellent one – welcoming and well attended” according to the report, and the main square in the town, O'Connor Square, which was described in the report as being “a template for a Grade A site” with attractive pavement pattern; tree planting; bicycle parking; seating and planter boxes, all of which were “excellent with regards to litter, and not a litter bin in sight.”

Patrick Street also received a Grade A with the judges stating it was “very much deserving” of the top grade. “The area was enhanced by large planter boxes and tree planting, particularly welcome along the older stretch of pavement. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout “ they said.

The stretch of road between the Clonminch and Cloncollig roundabouts also received the top grade for its “very welcoming” approach. “It was immaculate throughout” and there was “plenty of greenery” at the Clonminch roundabout.

The Bridge Shopping Centre was described as “a freshly presented environment” which “just missed the top litter grade” but could achieve it with “a little extra effort” while the R421 Birr road exit was also pipped at the post for a Grade A, due to mineral cans and sweet wrappers being present along the pavement near the Circle K garage, although the area closer to town was litter free on the day the IBAL survey was carried out.

While big improvements were noted at a vacant site on Offaly Street, compared to previous IBAL visits, the judged noted that the site “still presents poorly” and is likely to deteriorate back to its previous status “if not monitored carefully.”

They also warned that the Cloncollig housing estate has the potential to “quickly slide to seriously littered status” unless action is taken to address the issue of litter being dumped in grass verges and in the hedges. “There were some areas within this residential area which were fine with regards to litter, other areas much less so – the overall result was a moderately littered one” stated the report.

Set up in 1996, Irish Business Against Litter is an alliance of companies sharing a belief that continued economic prosperity - notably in the areas of tourism, food and direct foreign investment - is contingent on a clean, litter-free environment.

As part of the IBAL Anti-Litter League, An Taisce monitors towns independently and in accordance with international grading standards.