Athlone loses clean status in latest litter survey

There was disappointment for tidy towns groups in Athlone this week with the latest results from the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) group seeing the town lose its status as being 'clean to European norms' and being downgraded to 'moderately littered.,'

Athlone was ranked at number 26 in the survey of 40 towns and cities nationwide, a drop of four places from last December and down from 16th place in the final survey of 2022.

As was the case in the final IBAL report of 2023, one of the most heavily littered sites in Athlone was again found to be the local bus station, with the judges who surveyed the town finding “very significant levels of cigarette butts” at all bus bays and also at another corner location by a bin in the station which, they said, “appeared to be there for some considerable time.” They pointed out that all the cigarette butts were evident “despite a very obvious cigarette butt unit in full view.”

On a more positive note the judges noted that the bus station building and entrance was “freshly presented and litter free” and that visitor information notice, seating, litter bins etc were all “in good condition” as was the waiting area, but the litter grade was “primarily brought down” by the amount of cigarette butts at all bus bays.

Another area found to be heavily littered was the Ballymahon approach road into Athlone. While the overall area was “generally presented well”with the judges singling out the shrubbery 'welcome' signage as being “a lovely feature” they said the area under the fire escape stairwell was still “heavily littered, suffering long term abuse/neglect” and pointed out that this had been noted in previous IBAL surveys.

Four of the ten areas surveyed in Athlone received a Grade A rating, including St. Mary's Primary School with the area directly outside the school described as “spotless” and the grounds of the school being enhanced by a nice planting scheme.

The stand alone Deposit Return area at Dunnes Stores also received a Grade A rating and was found to be “well presented and virtually litter free, although the judges noted that a litter bin right beside this facility was “”almost full/overflowing.”

There was also good news for Athlone Shopping Centre, which also received the highest grade for its “sparkling shopping environment” its colourful map detailing the various stores and its “freshly presented” seating and litter bins. “There was a complete absence of litter throughout” noted the judges.

Count John McCormack Square was similarly found to have a “complete absence of litter” with the IBAL report noting that all aspects of this “attractively presented town centre environment” were in good condition.

In their overall comments about Athlone, the IBAL judges pointed out that “if some of the moderately littered sites could be improved, it would make a big difference to the overall result.” Referring to the streetscape works currently taking place in the town, the judges expressed the hope that once the works are complete along Dublin Gate Street / Church Street “the overall presentation will be easier of maintain.”

Set up in 1996, Irish Business Against Litter is an alliance of companies sharing a belief that continued economic prosperity - notably in the areas of tourism, food and direct foreign investment - is contingent on a clean, litter-free environment.

As part of the IBAL Anti-Litter League, An Taisce monitors towns independently and in accordance with international grading standards.

See full details in this week's Westmeath Independent.