Mixed bag of results for Cork in Irish Business Against Litter league

The results of the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) have proved something of a mixed bag for Cork.

While Mahon Tidy Towns were celebrating a significant improvement in the area in the latest litter league standings, Cork’s northside was among the four most littered areas surveyed across the country.

While 10 Irish towns were classed as being ‘Cleaner Than European Norms’, none of them were in Cork.

Mahon was in 18th spot on the table, Fermoy in 21st spot and Cork city centre in 27th place, all designated ‘Clean To European Norms’.

There were no Cork towns among the eight listed as being moderately littered.

Trojan work

Labour councillor for the area Peter Horgan told The Echo that Mahon’s performance “is simply down to the trojan work of Mahon Tidy Towns over the last few years. I’ve seen first-hand the work they do and the dedication they have to enhancing the local area.”

He added that he had concerns about how Ibal assess the areas, “but Mahon has bucked the Ibal trend and more power to them”.

A spokesperson for Mahon Tidy Towns told The Echo: “Mahon Tidy Towns was first set up when the area was ranked as the dirtiest town in Ireland, and this progress shows just how far we’ve come.

“This achievement is thanks to local businesses, Cork City Council, and to the dedication of our diverse group of volunteers ranging in age and background, who give their time week after week to keep Mahon looking its best.” 

Cork City Council welcomed the release of the survey, but said the Ibal report is based on surveys of individual locations and represents a snapshot at a particular point in time.

“A total of 22 of the 25 sites surveyed by Ibal in its assessment of the city centre received either a grade A, B, or C. A total of 11 As, 11 Bs, and three Cs were issued. No grade D was issued.”

They noted Ibal praised Patrick Street and Mac Curtain St in particular, giving both As and said Patrick St was “looking its best ever”.

The classification of the city as clean “is the result of the hard work and dedication of the city council’s street sweeping and cleansing crews who are out seven days a week from early morning to late in the evening, investment in new street cleaning equipment, and the commitment of the majority of businesses and property owners in the city”, they said.

The council added that it will “study the issues of concern noted in a small number of areas and assess what changes, further actions or new initiatives need to be carried out”.