There were no heavily littered areas in Dundalk. Some of the very good sites surveyed included Dundalk Grammar School, Clanbrassil Street and Dundalk Train Station, with the latter registering a noted improvement over a previous survey. The V & W Recycle Facility was nicely adorned with planting and was impeccable throughout. Dundalk Institute of Technology was let down by the very heavy levels of cigarette butts – it is quite unusual to see a Green Flag Campus environment so heavily plagued by cigarette butts.
Dundalk Grammar School: Grade A. This was an excellent site – not only was it clear of litter but the overall presentation was very good. Grounds were well maintained and clearly it is a well respected environment.
Dundalk Institute of Technology: Grade B. Most of the campus was in good order but it was badly let down by the very heavy levels of cigarette butts at the entrances to the buildings – it would seem there are not enough units for the disposal of same. It is quite unusual to see a ‘Green Flag’ Campus facility have such heavy levels of butts. The remainder of the campus was fine.
Dundalk Train Station: Grade A.Surveyor noted a marked improvement at this site. The platform was spotless, as was the extensive pedestrian ramp. The station was well maintained and in very good order throughout.
Dunnes Stores Car Park: Grade B. This site has frequently been littered in previous IBAL litter surveys and there was little change this time around. There was a variety of food related litter in the car park and the overall impression created here was somewhat unkempt.
V & W Recycling: Grade A. A ‘managed’ and ‘drive through’ Civic Amenity Facility. This was an excellent site and the high grade of previous IBAL litter surveys has been sustained. It is a very welcome feature to have such abundant flower boxes and planting at a recycle amenity – plenty of others around the country could learn from same.
Clanbrassil Street: Grade A. Clanbrassil Street has scored very well. The paving, planting, bins, bollards, seating and street lamps were all in very good order and they certainly contribute to the freshness of the environment.
Approach from Newry: Grade B. (old Road) This was a moderately littered route. Much of the litter was food related e.g. sweet papers, plastic bottles, cans and fast-food wrappers.
Castleblaney Approach: Grade B. The most obvious litter type along this road was fast-food wrappers, with lower levels of cans, sweet papers, plastic bags and plastic bottles.
Mourne View Centre: Grade B. This appears to have been a shopping development with petrol station but is now very much abandoned. Great care needs to be taken to prevent further deterioration, which can happen so easily with such sites.
Navan – Dundalk Link Road: Grade B. There was a moderate level of litter along this route which straddles two local authorities. A wide variety of litter was present.