Cavan just pipped for top spot in IBAL litter league

Cavan town has regained its position as one of the cleanest towns in the country when it was just narrowly pipped by Bray in Wicklow for top spot in the annual Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) league, the results of which were announced on Monday (January 4). Last year the county town - while it retained its "litter free status" - plummeted from its customary top five position to 15th spot. Cavan town has come a long way since the IBAL league was established in 1996 when it was described as one of the country's black spots. To mark their success, the top ten towns in the IBAL league each receive a number of birch trees for planting locally. These are provided by the Irish Tree Centre, an IBAL member based in Co Cork. IBAL declared Bray in Co. Wicklow as the cleanest town in the country at Dublin's Merrion Hotel. Monaghan town was ranked 37th and the points scored by the town would have been sufficient to make it the cleanest in the State in 2002. A record 39 towns are now classed as "litter-free" but despite the improving results, IBAL has called for a rethink on whether local authorities are the best bodies to control litter enforcement. A record 60 towns took part in the campaign. Cavan town Mayor Andrew Boylan welcomed the announcement that Cavan town has regained its rightful position as one of the cleanest town's in the country. "To finish second following a disappointing 15th spot last year is good news." People were disappointed that Cavan had plummeted so badly in last year league, he added. "Great credit is due to the Cavan Town Council, the horticulturist, the outdoor staff, the local Tidy Towns Committee, the traders and the public for all their efforts," said Cllr. Boylan. The floral displays around the town were second to none, he added. Continuing Cllr. Boylan said it was good to see Cavan climbing back up the league once again and a great way to commence the New Year. He was sure that everyone would play their part to ensure the town maintained its position near the top for the coming year. Michael Mussi, environmental awareness officer with Cavan County Council, said litter prevention and waste minimisation was something that would be at the core of the Fleadh this year and Cavan was working hard to make this Fleadh the greenest and cleanest to date. "It is the intention of Cavan County and Town Councils to maintain the very high IBAL status despite the huge influx of visitors during the Fleadh period," he said. According to the IBAL report, Cavan town was "better than the previous survey and proved another excellent year. What strikes you about the sites surveyed in Cavan is not just that the sites were so clean but the way in which they are maintained and clearly respected by the residents/users." The approach roads were excellent and this high standard was sustained for almost all of the remaining sites surveyed. Clearly big efforts had been made at the River Walk site - it has scored poorly in earlier IBAL surveys. Despite recent rainfall and associated flooding it was remarkable that it was so clean, the report stated. Meticulous The approach road from Ballinagh was describe as a "superb site - not just clear of litter but in meticulous condition. Shrubbery areas were very well maintained". The Ballyhaise Road managed to be as clean as all of the other approaches in Cavan, which were surveyed. Despite high levels of activity (including the erection of the Christmas tree) Main Street/Town Centre was a very well maintained site. The level of cigarette butts was much improved on last IBAL Anti-Litter survey, the report claimed. The high standards of previous IBAL Anti-Litter surveys have been sustained in the Church Street/Newcourt Centre are and this continues to be a consistently high performing site. There were no litter awareness notices but chewing gum notices. Farnham Street and the facilities within e.g. library, Garda Station, Court House etc. were all very well maintained. The overall impression was of a well cared-for environment. Black spot The one black spot seemed to be Cavan Bus Station, which was described as moderately littered. Overflowing litter bins appeared to be adding to the litter situation at this busy bus station - all of the litter was food/drink related e.g. sweet papers, coffee cups and plastic bottles. There were plenty of litter bins in the area surveyed. College Street scored particularly well considering the presence of a fast-food outlet. "Clearly litter management is taken very seriously by the people of Cavan," notes the report. Also, the high standards in Bridge Street in previous IBAL Anti-Litter surveys have been maintained along this busy shopping street "It was not just clear of litter but well maintained and Town Hall Street was a pristine site - as with almost all of the sites surveyed in Cavan," concludes the survey.