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TRALEE retained its ‘Clean To European Norms’ status in the Irish Business Against Litter’s latest survey released this morning.
It came in 17th place out of 37 towns and cities in Ireland, but what impressed the An Taisce judges and what areas of town let us down.
Here’s what they had to say in their report…
“Tralee just hangs on to its clean status of last summer. Most of the town centre sites within were very much deserving of the top litter grade, including Tralee Town Park, Kerry County Museum, The Square / The Mall and Milk Market Lane – the latter was an excellent example of making a feature of a laneway.
Continued below…
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There was one litter blackspot – the ‘miscellaneous’ site along the residential Mitchels Road – it wasn’t just casually littered but subject to heavy levels of dumping– it didn’t get into this state overnight.
The Clothing Bank to the rear of SuperValu had significant amounts of clothing discarded to the rear of the clothing units.
Kerry County Museum: Grade A. The museum (and immediate environs) was very freshly presented and maintained. There was a complete absence of litter in the immediate vicinity of the museum. Festively festooned with large Christmas trees to the front.
Upper Castle Street: Grade A. There were plenty of closed down / vacant premises along Upper Castle Street – clearly a careful eye is kept on them as there was no litter directly associated with these properties. Road surface was exceptionally fresh, and pavement was in very good order – it was excellent with regard to litter.
R875 / N21 Approach from Limerick Direction: Grade B. Food related litter, mostly fast-food, was noticeable along this route. This took away from an otherwise well presented and maintained route with road surface / markings / signage in very good order.
Manor West Retail Park: Grade A. A mixed-use retail park with retail / fast-food / restaurants. Despite being exceptionally busy at time of survey it was excellent with regard to litter. A large expanse of land directly adjoining the retail park was in poor shape but not littered.
Milk Market Lane: Grade A. Very well presented laneway environment, with walls attractively painted – a great example of how to not only brighten up a laneway but also to make a feature of the premises. The laneway creates an excellent impression, it was very good with regard to litter. Nice visitor information signage at the end of the laneway.
Tralee Town Park: Grade A. A wonderful expanse of town park, incorporating wooded walk / playground / community garden / rose garden / garden for the senses – all were in very good order. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout this large town park.
Clothing Bank at rear of SuperValu: Grade C. On first impressions, all seemed in good order at this clothing recycle facility. The areas to the side and rear were a different story – substantial amounts of loose clothing had been discarded / stuffed between and behind the clothing units.
The Square / The Mall: Grade A. The square was exceptionally freshly presented with brick work very bright and fresh looking. Seating, bicycle parking, bins, signage etc. were excellent. Tree planting along the Mall was in very good order. Excellent with regard to litter.
Killorglin Approach Road: Grade B+. This was mostly a very freshly presented stretch of road leading to junction with N21 / N22 / R875. The pedestrian pathway was in very good order; small amounts off food related litter prevented the top litter grade.
Wasteland / Miscellaneous site on Mitchels Road: Grade D. A large site, behind fencing, in the midst of a residential area, has developed serious levels of dumping – where does responsibility for this site lie? Items included plastic bath, signage, tarpaulin etc as well as heavy levels of casual litter.”
