Estate pedestrian access is used as a ‘dumping ground’

THE pedestrian access from Kilmartin estate to Cheeverstown Road in Tallaght is being “used and abused as a dumping ground” for litter.

This is according to the findings of a recent anti-litter survey, in which Tallaght ranked 34 out of 40 sites nationally due to high levels of litter in some parts of the area.

The latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) results were issued this week with Tallaght remaining ‘moderately littered’ and having slipped down from its ranking of 30th in last year’s survey.

As part of IBAL, An Taisce monitors towns independently and in accordance with international grading standards.

IBAL’s survey pinpointed areas in Tallaght that were of particular concern as they were noticeably littered, including the bring centre at Tallaght Leisure Centre and outside Rossfield Stores.

The report stated: “The Bring Centre at Tallaght Leisure Centre presented very poorly – there were heavy levels of litter at the base of the recycle units and in the immediate environs.

One of the decorated bike features as part of the upcycle project

“Pedestrian Access from Kilmartin Estate to R136 Cheeverstown Road – while there is evidence of what appears to be a recent clean-up, this area continues to be abused and used as a dumping ground.

“Area surrounding Rossfield Stores on Broomfield Road had suffered from heavy levels of very casually discarded litter.”

However, it was noted in the report that there were several areas in central Tallaght that were well presented, including the village, The Square and the car park at Tallaght Retail Centre.

Tallaght village, which has been routinely cleaned by volunteers from Tallaght Tidy Towns in recent months, was noted as being particularly well maintained.

The report found that the village was “a particularly freshly presented and maintained town centre environment”.

Overall, IBAL’s survey noted that the majority of Irish towns were found to be clean, but two-thirds of city areas were littered.

The content of the litter had changed compared to last year, with PPE litter such as masks being found in seven per cent of sites, and coffee cups in 20 per cent.

Vapes were included for the first time and were evident in six per cent of sites.

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