National
Tidy TownsS
2004
Judges
Report for
Ballincollig
County Cork
OVERALL
DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH
Ballincollig
Tidy Towns committee is to be commended for their efforts to develop so many
aspects of a very sprawling, diverse and changing area. The first thought is
that there should a vigorous recruitment for membership as the small number of
five could be greatly enhanced by a larger number. The recruitment of young
people is very important so that they can learn and contribute to the community
in which they live. The By pass will make a major difference to Ballincollig.
The Development plan 2004 is a fine document and many of the pertinent issues
are dealt with in this report. The development of Murphy's barracks and the By
pass offers great challenges to the committee and the community in general.
THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
There
are a wide variety of building features through the town. The industrial and
business premised are generally well presented. Car parking and the traffic
these create is enormous. The work of organising competitions is excellent as it
allows for interest and developments in each of the sectors. Many of the shops
have made considerable efforts to enhance their appearance. The many shops units
tucked in off the main street create a pleasant atmosphere which will be further
enhanced with reduced traffic volumes as a result of the opening of the By pass.
Stonewall features look well in many places. The appearance at the Poulavone
roundabout gives a very important character to the entrance of the town. Large
industrial buildings, such as Logitech, have emerged behind the main street,
which changes the face of the town. The fire station looks very well and the
Reel cinema is nicely positioned. The colour schemes on the shop fronts through
the main street give a very cheerful appearance.
LANDSCAPING
There
is number of good landscape
features through the town. The Westgate wall feature is very attractive and the
roundabouts are well treated with the very attractive flowering. The many
individual features of containerised plants play an important part. The trees
have matured well along the main street and these add greatly to the
streetscape. Any opportunity for more tree plantings should be availed of as
they add enormous character to any area. The landscaping in the large housing
estates has included many trees and this in time will pay great dividends. The
tree planting to the front courtyard of the Reel cinema is attractive. Some
substantial plantings are needed in the industrial areas particularly as
mentioned above- by the Logitech buildings and surrounding areas. Entrances to
estates, entrances to industrial or shopping areas are always enhanced by good
planting schemes as they soften the harshness of the buildings and create a
welcoming approach this has been availed of in Ballincollig in a number of
incidences.
WILDLIFE
AND NATURAL AMENITIES
The
regional park is a marvellous asset and can offer much under this heading. The
failure of your commissioned person to give a report on wild life possibilities
is disappointing but hopefully progress will now be made. The provision of bat
boxes and the information about bats and their boxes is interesting and
hopefully further activities will follow.
LITTER
CONTROL
While
it is acknowledged that your efforts in this regard are enormous - it is a fact
of life that continuous efforts have to be made to keep litter at bay. The
schemes with schools are admirable and the work of the litter warden contributes
greatly. There is a small amount of litter to be noted in car parks in
particular and hopefully that will disappear when people become more and more
aware of the value in keeping the place litter free.
TIDINESS
There
is a good level of tidiness through the town. The new industrial sites may need
better finishing. The area in Baker Street seems a little uncared for. Kerbside
weeds can be troublesome and the purchase of a knapsack sprayer is a good
approach. The competitions organised by the committee are a great help in
promoting a better level of tidiness. The work both at the By Pass and the town
centre will cause some disruption and untidiness but in the end the result will
be very positive.
RESIDENTIAL
AREAS
There
are a vast number of residential areas around the town. It is understandable
that with so many rented houses and accommodation the work of the tidy towns
committee becomes difficult, as the pride in ownership may not be the same in
rented accommodation. There is good landscaping at the housing estates and they
look very well. A visit around a large number of these suggests that there is
further opportunity for tree planting in many open greens. A little investment
in this will be rewarded greatly in the future. The competitions also are very
helpful. Educational courses in home and garden care could offer another
approach to improvement, as many young people are unaware of the needs and
skills of maintaining a house and garden
ROADS,
STREETS AND BACK AREAS
The
main street is very busy with traffic. Parking is allowed in places where, when
a truck comes along congestion results. It would be wise to make suggestions
about traffic, parking and provision for pedestrians in the new scheme that will
result from the opening of the By Pass. The additional information submitted
with the entry form very clearly identifies the roads problems and observation
of the situation hopefully will give good results.
GENERAL
IMPRESSION
Ballincollig
is going through an exciting transformation. Efforts to retain the identity of
the town should be helped by the By
Pass. The focus will also move to the Town centre and more people will visit the
town. Pedestrian friendly schemes will help to retain the core of the town.
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