Cobh – Cleaner than European Norms

Cobh: 17th out of 42 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.

Cobh has scored very highly this time round and has come a long way from a few years ago when it was very much towards the bottom of the IBAL Anti-Litter league. This time around there were seven top ranking sites out of a total of ten surveyed and there were no seriously littered sites. Some of the top ranking sites included Five Foot Way, Cobh Railway Station and White Point Road and Strand – these sites deserve a special mention not just because they were clear of litter but the way in which the overall environment was presented and maintained. There was obviously a certain focus on Cobh for the Titanic Centenary and Cobh Railway Station was marking Cobh – 150 Years. The approach roads into Cobh should be better.

R624 Approach Road: Grade A. A very positive first impression of Cobh is created along this road. An attractive sign `Welcome to Cobh, Heritage Town’ sets the tone for this road – it was spotlessly clean and very well maintained.

Five Foot Way: Grade A. This is a beautifully constructed and maintained harbour walkway, all aspects of which were in superb condition e.g. lovely `olde’ style street lamps, seating, planting, palm trees, etc. Dog Fouling notice -`Did you forget something? Take Pride in Cobh, Clean up after Your Dog’ – appears to be having the desired effect as the area was clear of dog fouling despite plenty of dog walkers.

White Point Road & Strand: Grade A. Clearly the residents in this area are very proud of their area. White Point Road & Strand is a tranquil residential area where great pride has been taken in the overall presentation of the public spaces – benches have been brightly painted and colourful flowerboxes have been placed close to the benches. The whole area was spotless.

Cobh Railway Station: Grade A. This was an excellent site and a superb first impression of Cobh is created for anyone arriving by train. As well as being devoid of all litter there were plenty of large photographic panels along the wall of the station – `Cobh Celebrating 150 years’.

Westbourne Place: Grade A. Another site which was wonderfully presented and maintained. Buildings / railings appeared freshly painted, paving was excellent and there was plenty of signage / information relating to the centenary of the Titanic – A top ranking site throughout.

Roger Casement Square: Grade B. A small amount of food related litter (from Supermac’s) took away from an otherwise well presented site. Much of this square was in good order with nicely painted buildings, ornamental trees, paving, street lamps etc. and the area is well served by litter bins. Supermac’s are legally responsible for the cleanliness outside their premises.

High Road: Grade A. Not only was this road completely clear of all litter it was very fresh in appearance and clearly the cleaning is very thorough. Colourful flowering on the vertical walls takes away the bare look.

Scóil Naomh Iósarf: Grade A. There was a virtual absence of litter in the grounds of the school and the area immediately outside the school was spotless. The brightly coloured railings are a lovely feature.

Carrignafoy Approach Road: Grade B. The individual houses along this approach road into Cobh were well maintained but the road has not been subjected to the same cleaning regime as the majority of other sites surveyed. Most of the litter was on the right hand side as one approaches Cobh.

Ballyhoe Approach Road: Grade B. The road surface was poor along some stretches of the road but the paving was in good order. Scatterings of small amounts of litter were found, all of it was food related.

As critical entry points to towns, IBAL will continue to monitor train and bus stations in the towns and cities surveyed, with a view to listing them in order of merit at its final announcement at the end of 2012, with a special award for one outstanding station. We would ask that you advise the relevant train and bus station masters in your area of this, as there will be no direct notification from IBAL to them to this effect.