Castlebar Tidy Towns Committee hosted a Public Meeting in Lough Lannagh Village on Monday night 6th.March. The meeting was well attended with Representatives from a large number of Residents' Associations and Urban Councillors. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss co-operative means of cleaning and enhancing Castlebar through harnessing the support of all groups within the community into carrying out cleanups in their own areas. It was hoped that groups would adopt specific litter blackspots as part of their own areas in this work. As most people present were already involved in Residents' Associations and were actively involved in cleanups in their own estates it would not be very easy to expand their cleanups into other areas outside their estates.

On behalf of the Urban Council Councillor Frank Durkan offered to ensure the Council looks after 3 of the blackspots-Market Square, Marsh House and walks, The Mall. Castlebar Tidy Towns are continuing to appeal to other community groups such as Clubs and Associations, Schools and Businesses to consider adopting the following areas for cleanups over the coming months and particularly in April when the committee launch their Springclean as part of An Taisce's National Springclean:

• a.. The Stream road into Lough Lannagh at St Geralds College;
  
• b.. Paths along Lough Lannagh;
  
• c.. Car-Park at Lough Lannagh;
  
• d.. Grave Yard;
  
• e.. N5 bushes/trees from Moneen Roundabout through Traffic Lights at Newtown;
• f.. Swimming Pool Rd;
  
• g.. Barrack Bridge to Castle St Car-Park;
  
• h.. Green area opposite Davitt College;
  
• i.. Shrubbery along river walk beside Market Square car-park(at rear of Parish Church);
  
• j.. Spur Rd into Dunnes Stores;
  
• k.. Main St Archways(Humbert Mall, Bourkes/Intersport);
  
• l.. The Mall;
  
• m.. Post Office up to TF Hotel;
  
• n.. Under new Bridge near Dunnes Stores;
  
• o.. River from Marsh House to Footbridge at back of St Gerald's College;
• p.. River from footbridge at church car park to arch-way at Lenehan's butchers;
  
• q.. Town Park along river-both sides.

• a.. Strict enforcement of the litter law by local authorities and the gardai(the current law enables an on-the-spot fine of A350 to be imposed or a maximum of A31500 if brought to court for disposing litter in a public place);
  
  
• b.. Carry out extensive radio and press advertising campaign highlighting litter as an offence and the fines;
  
  
• c.. There is a need for the local authorities to take much more responsibility for cleaning up blackspots and ensuring strict enforcement of the litter law. The attendance felt that the Urban Council in particular was not carrying out it's duties and obligations as evidenced by the scale and number of the litter blackspots which were highlighted at the meeting;
  
  
• d.. Parents should be held responsible for the actions of their children with regard to litter offences;
  
  
• e.. A wall should be erected from the Barrack Bridge into the Castle St car-park to replace a chainlink fence which is a serious litter blackspot;
  
  
• f.. ESB poles need to be repainted;
  
  
• g.. A derelict post at the entrance to Mayo General Hospital needs to be removed;
  
  
• h.. Sponsorship would be forthcoming for young persons to pick up litter;
  
  
• i.. The Council should give notice to property owners/occupiers along streets which are to be swept by the new street cleaner to ensure their cars are removed.
  
  

• 1. Adopt an area-this could be a housing estate, an area in your own locality or one of the many litter blackspots as above;
  
  
• 2. Specific jobs that can be done:
  a.. Clean-up including a sponsored clean-ups by children;
  b.. Paint murals on derelict buildings in your adopted area;
  c.. Maintain green areas-cut grass, plant shrubs/flower tubs; arrange hanging baskets on poles, walls,etc;
  d.. Develop picnic areas-plant trees, make picnic tables/benches, landscaping, etc;
  e.. Develop wildlife areas - identify flora and fauna;
  f.. Install litter signage and bins;
  g.. Conduct surveys in your area to identify issues that need to be addressed.
  
  
• 3. Communicate with local authorities(UDC/MCC) to gain their co-operation in carrying out works in your area;
  
  
• 4. Communicate with Tidy Towns Committee-the ways in which the Committee can help to support your programme/plans can include:
  a.. liaise on your behalf with local authorities;
  b.. advise us your clean-up schedules and members of committee will support with gloves, bags and manpower;
  c.. give us before and after photographs as this will be important in our owns annual awards and may also be included in our submission to the National competition.
  
  
• 5. Register with an Taisce National Springclean.
  
  Forms were available at the meeting and all present took them to register. All who register will receive a free kit of useful information(bags, bibs, promotional posters, etc) to help organise and clean-up and spread the anti-litter message.
  
  The Chairman requested all groups intending to adopt an area to provide the Committee with a programme of action to include:
  
  
  • a.. Specific area to be maintained;
    
  • b.. What you plan to do;
    
  • c.. Schedule for this activity;
    
  • d.. Before and After photographs;
    
  • e.. Specific supports you need from Tidy Towns.