Editorial: Latest result for Kilkenny in litter survey could be a wake-up call

The drop in rankings for Kilkenny in the latest IBAL report should be a bit of a wake-up call to us all.

One bad report in itself is not a disaster, but it must at least have some warning bells sounding. Just last year, Kilkenny ranked second in this survey. It has topped it on two occasions in recent years. Now we find ourselves at 16th.

Anyone can have a bad day or get a judges’ visit at the wrong time, but we should not gloss over this. A number of areas were singled out for negative comments, including around certain bring banks, at the usually-tidy railway station, and parts of Loughboy.
READ: 'IT WILL BE A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ALL CONCERNED'

Many of these might be quick fixes that just require a little bit more attention or a spring clean. Whilst not referenced directly in the report, the situation that has developed at the seating area in Market Yard is a persistent problem.

Day after day, the area is left in a shocking state by people using the tables for eating, drinking or socialising. Pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, beer bottles, vapes and vaping-related litter are strewn about with abandon. Each morning, it is then rendered spotless by the council’s environment team. The council has been pro-active, bringing in new big bins even specifically for pizza boxes - but even still the behaviour of some people lets everyone down.

Is it time to consider a full-time dedicated litter warden, perhaps with a body-worn camera, who can go about the city visiting blackspots and particular areas at peak times? They could issue on-the-spot fines or bring offenders to garda attention.

Our reputation as a friendly, tidy and picturesque place is a big part of Kilkenny’s enduring appeal. Tidy Towns adjudicators tend to visit Kilkenny this time of year. It would be a serious blow if Kilkenny were to slide backwards in that competition also.

N25 Meeting
Well done to everyone who turned out for Monday’s meeting to raise the ongoing safety problems of the N25. It sounds like potential progress, with a promise of funding on the way. We’ve heard promises before, however. Campaigners are right to wonder why just to get this far has taken until now, with the most recent Government funding allocation leaving it out. We must keep this issue high on the agenda.