Editorial: IBAL result is a sign of Kilkenny’s strong civic spirit

Well done to everyone in Kilkenny who had any act or part in the latest IBAL success, which saw the city emerge joint-second overall.

Nine out of 10 sites surveyed here received the top grade, and the result means Kilkenny has once again reaffirmed its status as one of Ireland’s tidiest places.

It’s an achievement that doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a lot of hard work by individuals, volunteers, community groups and, of course, the local authority.

It’s also evidence of a high level of civic pride and true sense of community belonging. When people really feel like part of something, they are more willing to take some responsibility for it.

They feel that the area belongs to them as much as they belong to the area and, as such, they have a stake in it. It means they care a bit more and may be less likely to leave rubbish behind them.

It also sees civic-minded people willing to pick up after the few thoughtless individuals who will never change. You can see this attitude reflected in the behaviour of walkers who gather whatever they can carry back from their walk and bring it to a public bin.

ROAD DEATHS
The worrying increase in road deaths in 2022 should have alarm bells ringing for everyone. Last year saw the highest number of deaths on Irish roads in more than five years.

During the height of the pandemic many people used lockdowns as a chance to get out cycling and walking, and the roads were busy. It’s great to see this continue, but in the past year, the trends are quite discouraging.

There are still dangerous roads in the county, including the N24 and N25, for which engineering solutions and new routes are needed. But the situation can also be helped with a change in road user  behaviour.

As we begin 2023, we join with the RSA and gardaí in urging road users to slow down and drive safely. It is imperative we avoid another spike in road traffic fatalities again in 2023.