Cavan slips in latest litter rankings

Co Cavan has dropped a further seven places, the third slip in successive years in the latest Irish Business Against Litter rankings.

The county now sits at 31 out of over 40 towns surveyed across the county, in a list which saw neighbouring Monaghan bump up from its previous position to 19.

Both towns are “Clean to European Norms”.

Cavan is a four time winner of the Anti Litter League, and up until last year had consistently held a top three position in the League and has only twice finished outside the Top 4.

While nearly all of Ireland’s main towns are now clean, IBAL says pockets of our major cities continue to suffer from significant levels of litter. A study, conducted by an Taisce, showed only two of 25 towns surveyed to be littered, but 7 of the 8 bottom places in the rankings to be occupied by city areas. IBAL says councils need to concentrate on those specific areas where the problem is worst.

The An Taisce report on Cavan stated; “There were some moderately littered sites in Cavan which just missed getting the top litter grade e.g. Bridge Street, Church Street and Cavan Bus Station (Interior) – with a little extra care and attention this could easily be achieved. The Library & Environs was an excellent site with all aspects in very good order. Cavan Bus Station (Exterior) was seriously littered and certainly had the appearance of a lack of thorough cleaning for quite some time.”

The report on Monaghan stated: “All the approach roads to Monaghan town got the top litter grade, creating a positive first impression of the town. Other top ranking sites included The Diamond Town Centre, Peter’s Lake, Monaghan Museum and Tourist Office at Market Square and Lidl on Coolshannagh Road – these sites weren’t just clear of litter but very nicely presented and maintained. Peter’s Lake, in particular, is a lovely waterside resource right in the centre of the town. The one Grade D site has been noted in many previous IBAL litter surveys – a site commonly known as ‘Sam’s Diner’ behind Maxol/ Mace just beside Coolshannagh Roundabout has been seriously neglected over a prolonged period of time.”