Category Archives: Anti litter

Kileknny City IBAL top spot No.1 2019

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Kilkenny received the top spot in this 1st round for 2019.

A  very big effort has been made throughout the first 6 months of 2019 to keep Kilkenny litter free and to improve our city’s presentation. There are regular KKB clean ups and improvement works which supplement the extensive work undertaken by Kilkenny Co Co , our many resident associations and local volunteers throughout Kilkenny.

 

We were thrilled that the bring bank at St Canices church car park was found by the adjudicator to be so much better following the renovation work undertaken by Kilkenny Co Co over the last few months. We have been monitoring this location on an ongoing basis as it is very heavily used and the recycle bins fill up quickly. KKB did a clean up in this area last Saturday and ongoing vigilance is required.

The Judges also found the Kells road R697, Dublin road R712 and also the N10 motorway link road in good condition, all of which are regularly checked by KKB to keep them in good condition.

Kilkenny county council must be congratulated for their work on Parliament street and the other street improvements underway currently.

During 2019 many premises in the City have redecorated their buildings. Keep Kilkenny Beautiful continue to encourage premises owners to maintain and decorate the premises.

For anyone who wishes to assist with volunteering they can contact us at mail@keepkilkennybeautiful.com see our website at keepkilkennybeautiful.com or call our secretary at 086-1687553

 

An Taisce Report – IBAL Anti-Litter League, Round 1, 2019

Kilkenny: 1st out of 40 Towns / Cities Surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.

Kilkenny returns to a place it has been many times – the top of the IBAL table. The entire area was pristine but some top-ranking sites deserve special mention. The Pedestrian Bridge / River Bank was a lovely riverside environment which was wonderfully presented and maintained. Parliament Street was attractively laid out and scored very well with regard to litter. Market Cross (Pedestrianised shopping mall) was very fresh in terms of presentation and litter. The design of the ‘Bring Bank’ at St. Canice’s was such that there were few opportunities for ‘stuffing’ items between, beneath and behind the recycle units.

R712 Approach Road: Grade A. A well presented route, creating a positive first impression of Kilkenny. Road surface, signage and markings were in good order and it scored well with regard to litter.

Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. The exterior of the train station presented well with flower beds and built environment in good order. It got the top litter grade, but only just. Cigarette butts were noticeable in the flower beds – this needs to be addressed to prevent further build-up. The remainder of the area was very good.

Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. All aspects of the interior of the station were in very good condition and fresh in appearance e.g. tiled flooring, seating, bins and signage. There was a complete absence of litter. The industrial ‘blue’ bin was very full / overflowing, potentially causing a litter situation.

Pedestrian Bridge / River Bank: Grade A. This riverside environment has been wonderfully presented and maintained. Grass banks, paving, bin, life-belt, etc. were in very good condition. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout the area surveyed.

Parliament Street: Grade A. As a main shopping street this was beautifully laid out with attractive paving and seating creating an opportunity for relaxing. The overall impression created along Parliament Street was a positive one with regard to presentation and litter. It is very well served by litter bins.

Vacant site – formerly Cheri Lee: Grade A. (on Parliament Street, opposite New Building Lane) This red brick mid-terrace building is no longer operating. It got the top litter grade, but only just, with a virtual absence of litter. It could easily slide to a littered status. The paint / woodwork were decaying.

‘Bring Centre’ at St. Canice’s: Grade A. The design / layout of this facility presents very well, leaving little opportunity for the ‘stuffing’ of items that so regularly happens elsewhere throughout the country. Overall, it was very much deserving of the top litter grade.

Market Cross, Shopping Mall: Grade A.The paving at this pedestrianised shopping area created an artistic effect and the area was enhanced by some large planter boxes. All aspects of the area surveyed were in very good order e.g. seating, bins, planted areas, signage etc.. It was excellent with regard to litter.

R697 Approach Road: Grade A. There was a complete absence of litter along this stretch of road.

M9 – N10 Link Road to Carlow: Grade A. The overall impression created along this route was a clean one with no visible litter issues.

Statestreet Keeps Kilkenny Beautiful

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Congratulations to Statestreet Bank staff for leading  a large spring clean action which took place on 17 April 2019. This action forms part of our spring “deep clean” action undertaken by Keep Kilkenny Beautiful with a concentration on removing of non-biodegradable plastics and similar materials which get blown under bushes and trees during  the year. This is a serious issue for our environment as plastics do not decompose over time.

Many thanks to Statestreet volunteers for KKB

 

Swallows sighted in Kilkenny, river Breagagh valley enhancement ongoing

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The first swallows of 2019 were spotting in Kilkenny on the 31st March. A sign of spring/summer. Work is also ongoing with the improvement of the Breagagh river, including cleaning of  the banks and any debris  that has gone into the river ready for the 2019 nesting season. work to remove all balsam has also been undertaken and this review  will continue again later in the spring.

Spring clean /deep clean programme Kells road area

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Kells Road., Rose Hill, Coote’s Lane & River Breagagh   clean up took place on  Saturday 2nd March).  Assembly was at Rose Lawn adjacent to Cootes Lane. the spring clean also included Cootes lane and the adjacent river Breagagh.    For information in relation to ongoing environmental actions please  ring Margaret Walsh Secretary KKB at 086-1075532 mail@keepkilkennybeautiful.com   web:  www.keepkilkennybeautiful.com .  for information in relation to Rose Hill residents association please  contact Pat Kenny – Rosehill Chairman at 0873690864

Successful clean up to improve the river Breagagh

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A very successful clean up was undertaken to help improve the wildlife habitat along the river Breagagh. The key aim was the removal of  plastics  in particular  which are not biodegradable. Bottles and cans where possible were collected and recycled. Why not join in for the next event!

 

 

River Breagagh /Circular road Clean up

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 Breagagh  clean up  in conjunction with Roberts hill residents association    ( 16th February ) meet 10am entrance to Roberts Hill estate off Circular road, Tea ~Coffee after! bring your wellies. All are welcome.  Email us at mail@keepkilkennybeautiful.com  or ring  086-1075532 to get details of our environmental  actions and clean  ups.

River Breagagh clean up

KKB reusable coffee cups in Kilkenny

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KKB are working with many cafes through out Kilkenny city to reduce the amount of waste from single-use cups. Congratulations to the many cafes who have already agreed to provide reusable cups and also who give a discount to customers who present a reusable cup.

When you’re in a cafe to get a takeaway coffee why not ask for a reusable cup and a discount. This also helps to reduce waste!

What’s more, the coffee tastes a lot better!

Many Kilkenny  cafes are now providing an alternative to the one use cup.

KKB reusable cup in use…. enjoy!

Kilkenny City “cleaner than European norms” 2019

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Keep Kilkenny Beautiful are very pleased with the Irish Business against Litter (Ibal) overall 2018 result which gives Kilkenny city a position of 9th in the country and the  status of “Cleaner than European norms ”. Congratulations also to Fermoy for achieving the No.1 position for 2018.
Congratulations to all who have assisted in this excellent result. It  reflects the tremendous work being undertaken on an ongoing basis by many voluntary groups, organisations, businesses and Kilkenny County Council throughout our city over the last year.

Kilkenny railway station

 

An Taisce Report – IBAL Anti-Litter League, Round 2, 2018

Kilkenny: Overall 2018 result: 9th out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.

Another excellent result for Kilkenny with 80% of sites getting the top litter grade. Market Cross Shopping Centre was a particularly well presented and clean site – large planter boxes certainly enhance the overall environment. Kilkenny Train Station (Exterior and Interior) was excellent – clearly it is a very well attended site; the streetscape along High Street was excellent and the grounds of Kilkenny Castle were pristine. The Recycle Bank at St. Canice’s presented well on first impression but further inspection revealed a definite litter presence.

L2627 Approach from Clara: Grade A. The overall presentation of this road was a very good one. Pathway was in good order and newly trimmed grass verges skirted the roundabout leading to the town.

Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. This was an impeccable site. The whole environment was very well maintained with footpath, ramp, signage, flowering pots, bins etc. in very good condition.

Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. The interior of Kilkenny Train Station was a very fresh environment. Seating, bins, notices boards, plant boxes, hanging baskets and visitor information were in good order.

Series of empty / derelict buildings on Watergate: Grade B. (Numbers 11, 13 & 15). The presentation of this series of buildings was poor with painting peeling and overall impression a negative one. This will only deteriorate further if not addressed.

Recycle Bank by St. Canice’s: Grade B. On first impression the presentation of this recycle facility was a good one with bins and signage relating to the usage of same in good condition. It was, however, let down by a variety of litter items to the rear of the recycle units, between the bushes and bins.

Market Cross Shopping Centre: Grade A. This semi-covered shopping centre was very fresh with plenty of substantial planter boxes throughout. Seating, paving, lamps etc. all presented very well and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.

High Street: Grade A. The High Street in Kilkenny has an excellent streetscape. All aspects of the area surveyed were in very good condition. The road surface has attractive paving, creating a very fresh impression. The paving stones on the footpath looked very well. The street was further enhanced by wooden seating.

Grounds of Kilkenny Castle: Grade A. The grounds of Kilkenny Castle were in excellent order and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.

Loughboy Approach Road: Grade A. This road presented well with road surface, cycle path, signage and markings in good order. There was no obvious litter.

M9 / M10 Connecting Road to Carlow: Grade A. An excellent route. The edging of the roads was clear cut, road surfaces were in very good condition and there didn’t appear to be any visible litter.

Kilkenny castle from Lacken viewing point with river Nore under.