Pictured above is Councillor Kathleen Shanagher of Roscommon Tidy Town receiving an Award Scroll from Conor Horgan of IBAL
It has been revealed that Roscommon town received 9 out of 10 “A” Grades from Judges to be named Ireland’s 2nd cleanest town yesterday.
Roscommon town has been rising up the ranks in recent surveys and has consolidated its position as one of the cleanest towns in Ireland. The ten sites surveyed didn’t just score well with regard to litter – it was the presentation and maintenance of the sites which the Judges said sets Roscommon and other high ranking towns apart.
The following are the comments and ranking from the Judges:
Loughnaneane Park and Roscommon Castle: Grade A. A wonderful resource which has been very well maintained and clearly well respected. Outdoor exercise equipment, pathways, grass, trees etc. were all in very good condition. An innovative approach to Dog Fouling message was displayed in this park – ‘Clean It Up or Pick Up a €150 Fine’ with the notice painted onto the ground.
Access path to Loughnaneane Park: Grade A. This short area got the top litter grade, but only just. Clearly the area has had an issue with alcohol consumption (based on previous IBAL Litter Surveys) and while the installation of gates has helped the problem is beginning to redevelop – there were the beginnings of beer deposits.
Main Street: Grade A. There was a virtual absence of litter along the main shopping street. The paving was made of flagstones – it looked well but perhaps is a little trickier to remove cigarette butts on this surface.
St. Ciaran’s Park: Grade A. This was a lovely open space in a mature setting. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout.
Recycle Bank at Tesco: Grade A. The overall impression created at this Roscommon Co Co facility was a positive one. It wasn’t spotless, but bins were generally clean. Roscommon Co Co notice re use of facility and Litter / Dumping Hotline Telephone Number was placed on each bin.
Harrison Centre: Grade A. This was a short, narrow pedestrian shopping zone which has been carefully laid out and maintained Individual shop fronts were in very good order and planting, seating, bins and paving were well maintained – there was an complete absence of litter throughout.
L1812 Curraghboy Approach Road: Grade A. A fresh and clean route leading to Roscommon town. Paving, road surface and markings were in very good condition.
Derelict premises on Church Street: Grade A. Clearly a careful eye is kept on this premises. While it was not in great shape, there was no litter associated with it.
R366 Approach Road: Grade A. An attractive route which was in immaculate condition.
N63 Connecting Road to Longford: Grade B. There was a definite litter presence, primarily plastic bottles, cans, fast-food wrappers and papers along this route, much of it on the suburbs of Roscommon town.