National
Tidy TownsS
2002
Judges
Report for
Ballincollig
County Cork
OVERALL
DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH
The Ballincollig Tidy Towns Committee is obviously pursuing a co-ordinated approach to dealing with developmental matters in a rapidly growing town. The supporting data submitted with the entry form was again most useful. Due to the growth of this busy town, the Committee and the community will need to be determined in order to maintain the progress which has already been achieved. The committee, however, can be encouraged by the results to date, which presents a much-enhanced town.
THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
The standard of buildings within and around the town continues to be quite good. New buildings such as the Brothers of Charity School at Inishmore were excellently presented, as was Scoil Barra, where there was well cared for landscaping. The Post Office premises are nicely presented. The premise of the Irish Guide Dogs, which is located near the town, was also well presented. Church buildings, both Catholic churches and St. Peters at the eastern end of the town, were all well maintained. There is a wide range of commercial premises, throughout, and in the vicinity of the town and the standard generally was very good. Business premises such as Farran Technology and Style (Kitchens and Bedrooms) were well presented. It should be noted that some structures in the general area of the Enterprise Park need to be attended to. The Ballincollig Fire Station premises were very well maintained. The Community Centre premises will soon need to be repainted.
LANDSCAPING
There are several examples of fine landscaping work in and around the town. The Poulavone roundabout is a mass of colour and very impressive. The landscaping across from the White Horse Inn was very well maintained. The landscaping at the top of Station Road was also colourful and well attended to. Also the landscaping along the approach road to the Heritage Park was well cared for. On the Inniscarra approach road to the village, a landscaping project was carried out here in the past but is now quite neglected with weed and grass growth dominating and this would need to be attended to. In the many residential areas in and around the town, there are some fine examples of good, well cared for landscaping work.
WILDLIFE
AND NATURAL AMENITIES
The community is fortunate to have a recreational amenity like the Regional Park so close to the town centre. It is an excellent amenity and from your submission this is recognised. The committee should therefore pursue plans to highlight this facility; highlighting various species of tress etc. is a particularly good idea and in itself could prove to be of educational value also. There is plenty of scope to develop and enhance this area of the Competition, which would be most beneficial for the local community and for visitors.
LITTER
CONTROL
The problem of litter exists for all communities and as acknowledged in your submission, it is a particularly difficult problem for the centres with large population. However it is a problem which can be successfully dealt with by involving the schools as you do with the junior wardens, clean-up works etc. Also involving groups like the Lions Club is a positive move. At the time of adjudication, the litter situation with some exceptions seemed to be quite well under control. All along the main street there was very little litter to be seen. Obviously the steps, which you are taking, like the provision of additional litter bins, are helping to combat the problem but these efforts will need to be persisted with into the future.
TIDINESS
Busy areas of the town, for example Time Square, were quite tidy. Areas in the vicinity of the GM and rugby playing facilities were tidy and well maintained. The main street is a busy area of the town and this was also quite tidy. The approach to and the general area of the Ballincollig Enterprise Park was quite untidy with a considerable amount of litter in the immediate vicinity. At the time of adjudication there was a disused washing machine clearly visible inside a perimeter wire fence here. The immediate area of the Innismore Family Centre could be made tidier by more frequent trimming of the grass in the immediate area of the building.
RESIDENTIAL
AREAS
The standard in this area of the Competition continues to be quite high. There are several examples of beautifully maintained residential areas in and around the town area. The large green area and landscaping near residential areas such as The Meadows, Aylsbury and Wyndham Downs were excellently maintained. Other areas such as Rosewood, Mill Range Road -An Mhuillinn were also very well maintained. In many instances gardens and hanging baskets added welcome colour. The organising of a local Front Garden Competition is a very worthwhile initiative.
ROADS,
STREETS AND BACK AREAS
The main approach roads to the town were generally well maintained. Minor approach roads such as that from Inniscarra was reasonably tidy. On that approach from the Carrigrohane Straight road, the kerbs and footpaths here were in need of attention. The stone wall, the attractive railing and the very colourful flower planting at East Gate was extremely pleasant. The Square area was particularly tidy and attractive. The local Millennium project, "Ballincollig-Saclay Tree", is being well maintained. The sign for Innismore Square was defaced and in need of attention. The road to the Heritage Park was very tidy and well maintained.
GENERAL
IMPRESSION
The committee and the community are making a good effort to enhance this rapidly expanding town. You are obviously following a planned course and the efforts, which you are being made should be continued for the future. Progress is being made and this will no doubt provide the essential encouragement to the whole community for the future.
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