'Heavily littered' housing estate affects Portlaoise IBAL rating

Portlaoise which was the IBAL cleanest town three years ago, is climbing back up the ranking in latest results.

Maynooth claimed the top spot in the January 2024 Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) business survey, and Mullingar jumped to 5th place while Dublin North Inner City was bottom of the list of 40 Irish towns and cities studied.

Portlaoise is praised for a "strong performance" by the judges, who heaped praise on Main Street and a shopping centre.

Just one "heavily littered site" was reported by IBAL. Mountain View housing estate was not just littered but had "large domestic items" dumped in it. 

Portlaoise was ranked 18th, maintaining its standard of Clean to European Norms and rising two places from the January 2023 result. The town is kept clean and full of flowers with an eco friendly emphasis by Portlaoise Tidy Towns and Laois County Council.

Judges gave the following result report.

"A strong performance by Portlaoise, with just one heavily littered site, at Mountain View Estate, which was noted in previous IBAL surveys.

"There are some top-ranking sites which were not just very good with regards to litter but in overall presentation and maintenance e.g. the R445 from M7 (creating a very positive first impression of the town), Main Street and Market Square –
the latter was attractively laid out with lovely paving at the bicycle parking area and some colourful hanging baskets.

"R445 Approach from M7: Grade A. This route creates a very positive first impression of Portlaoise and this high marking was sustained for well over the majority of the remaining sites surveyed. It is characterised by attractive buildings and the grass verges were neatly maintained.

"R426 Timahoe Approach Road: Grade A. Apart from one incident, there were no other visible litter issues along this route. All appeared in good order with regard to the presentation and maintenance of the route / properties along the route.

"Kyle Shopping Centre: Grade A. This was an exceptionally freshly presented shopping centre environment. The car park surface / markings were in excellent order. The large expanse of retail space was excellent with regards to litter.

"Market Square: Grade A. This town centre environment was attractively laid out with lovely paving at the bicycle parking area. Area was enhanced by an abundance of colourful hanging baskets. Signage indicates that it is a ‘Litter Free Zone’. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout the area surveyed.

"Main Street: Grade A. There were very minor litter items along this busy shopping street. Area was enhanced by some colourful planter boxes and attractive paving. All in all, it was very much deserving of the top litter grade.

"Recycle Facility, Co Co Offices: Grade A. The bin units at this ‘Bring Facility’ were in good condition. The overall impression was a good one, with just some minor items at the base of the units e.g., paper, broken glass. Perhaps the proximity of the facility to the local authority offices ensures that the users are a little more careful than at other facilities.

"Portlaoise Train Station – Exterior: Grade B. There were too many sweet papers / food related items and cigarette related items e.g., butts, packaging and vaping devices, for the top litter grade. With a little more care on behalf of the users this could easily be achieved.

"Harpur's Lane – residential: Grade A. There was a virtual absence of litter along this area, some loose food related items, but not in significant quantities to bring down the litter grade.

"Derelict Site, Harpur’s Lane: Grade A. Portlaoise have had planning applications attached to two adjoining derelict sites which are in almost impeccable condition. No litter seen.

"Mountain View Estate: Grade C. Some of the site is open to the public, other parts are behind railings. A poor site which wasn’t just littered but subject to dumping of large household items. Sites like this only attract further discarding / dumping, if not addressed on a regular basis.

"Mountmellick Approach Road: Grade B. Much of this route was fine but the overall grade was let down by an area surrounding red plastic fencing (lying on the ground) where litter had begun to gather – mostly food related items.