Tidy Towns Improve Scoring Again

Ballinasloe Tidy Towns Committee

Congratulations were extended to all involved in the Tidy Towns as they finished third in their category. In every department they were being judged on, the town either matched or improved on their score from last year. The committee currently has 20 members and an additional 30 volunteers.

The group works with a wide number of organisations, including everyone from the local Community Employment Project, walking groups, sports groups, residents’ associations, and the probation services, as well as government bodies and agencies.

The judges were really pleased with how the town is dealing with the problem of dereliction. There is also development work planned for the tennis club, the refurbishment of the service block at the marina, new footpaths, upgrade works in train for the leisure centre playground and a new cycle track.

The committee are working on low mow and no mow areas which will help protect pollinators and encourage bees. The rugby club also got a mention for work their doing in reducing clothes, going into landfills.

On the application form, it mentioned that Ballinasloe had a litter problem, but the judges report stated “you are to be applauded for the work you are doing in trying to tackle this head on, not an easy thing to do unfortunately, so well done on getting the walks and approach roads in Poolboy Bog virtually litter free, and best of luck with all you are doing in order to maintain it like this. It is great to hear that regular clean-ups have been organized by your local ‘Friends of the Environment Group’ in the unique bog area, and very impressive to read that over 300 bags of rubbish have been removed, and that Galway County Council are assisting with getting rid of larger items.”

The on line report concludes by mentioning “It was a pleasure to visit Ballinasloe, and despite some of the challenges that you are facing, you are doing a tremendous amount of work to overcome these, particularly in relation to litter control, well done, and best of luck with your work in the future.”

Tidy Towns Committee Chairman Tom Madden stated “The report acknowledges how well maintained the approach roads to town are but also notes the continuous challenge that the area has in tackling the instances of fly tipping and illegal dumping.”

The Chairman also acknowledged the ongoing financial support of Galway County Council and Pobal. 

​“We are  now reflecting on the achievements to date and have identified three key category areas for improvement; Sustainability: doing more with less, Nature and Biodiversity, Tidiness Litter Control. These aspirations are on the agenda for a tidy towns annual general meeting to be held before year end”, concluded Tom.

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