|
|
| |
National
Tidy TownsS
2008
Judges
Report for
Ballincollig
County Cork
Overall
Development Approach:
Congratulations on a very comprehensive entry into this year�s competition. The
entry pack was well planned and assembled and the background information on
planning matters, previous events and publicity was very interesting. The
hand-drawn map was perfect for the adjudication work. Thank you. Your group has
a very strong voice and a tangible determination to improve and conserve the
best features of your area. Work with other groups was noted.
The Built Environment:
Ballincollig has undergone massive change over a few years. There is now a
mixture of old and new in the town that presents considerable challenges in
management. The shopping centre looked well and on the day of the visit many
people were out and about, with some even using the chairs and tables for al
fresco coffee in some rare sunshine. The Square was admired for its clever
architecture. The Barrack Square is nice although many units are still
unoccupied. New buildings inevitable look a little sterile when compared with
the bright and cheery traditional shopfronts with their flowers. However, a good
use of colour was seen throughout Main Street. The post office looked well and
the brand-new Bank of Ireland building was also admired. Most shopfronts were
very clean and well kept. Some window displays are questionable (e.g. Subway) in
terms of taste and colour. Lots of work was going on at time of survey such as
at the Quadrants. Colaiste Choilm was very neat. The colours of the library were
admired. The Community Hall was clean, brightly painted and litter-free. Scoil
Eoin was immaculate also with lovely rose-beds and trees. St. Mary and St.
John�s RC church was also immaculate with really nice planted tubs. The medical
centre building is splendidly renewed.
The Information Centre /Youth House looks like an interesting old building but
not in use. What happened to this facility? Gaelscoil Ui Riordain looks like it
needs to brightened up but the schools of Inishmore were all very pleasant, neat
and bright. The Inishmore Family Centre looks very well cared for. The old GAA
building looks very interesting while the newer facility looks well. Oriel House
Hotel was very well presented and is very well landscaped.
Landscaping:
There were simply too many areas to describe them all
here but a few notable examples follow. The planting opposite the new shopping
area looked great The birch tree planting at Castlepark is very nice. The
planting in front of Aldi looked really well. There are lots of old stone walls
still to be seen, which, like the old milestones are a great reminder of the
past. The landscaping in front of the Topaz (nee Shell) is very neat. The sign,
benches and tree planting at East Gate are very good. The birch planting at the
corner of Main Street and Link Road was noted. The grounds of the library would
benefit from some work. The work carried out at Regional Park was much admired.
The hanging baskets and tyre planters at Innishmore were greatly admired. The
Church grounds here were extremely neat, the mature trees and marker stone were
admired. The grounds of the GAA facilities were seen to be well kept. The old
military cemetery was marked on the map for attention but although it looks
extremely interesting, was locked on day of visit.
Wildlife and Natural Amenities:
The work carried out to date on the Regional Park is a
great asset and should be built on in terms of providing information for
visitors. I read that you have signs and leaflets planned and this is an
important step. People will participate better in conservation with an
understanding of their local environment. The walking routes in the Park are
fantastic and very enjoyable. The bilingual signs were admired. The walking path
surfaces are very user-friendly even for buggies and children. The old stone
walls in the park are a great feature, as are the bridges old and new. It is
noted that you have enhanced tree planting as advised and this is a great
initiative.
Litter Control:
Litter control was generally good on day of visit.
Some was noted in the main commercial areas but bins were by and large well
situated and kept. Your overall approach to litter management is exemplary.
Chewing gum seems to be a slight issue for the town.
Waste Minimisation:
Your group has submitted one of the few entries that this adjudicator has seen
that has grasped the concept of waste minimisation. Your school visits seem to
have been a great help in this regard. Well done. This is an ongoing effort and
involvement of environmental groups as you have shown is very important.
However, businesses must play their part too. You have a new commercial centre
and many newly located businesses. Why not harness this and work toward a
holistic approach to the town�s waste burden? It was noted that the town has a
farmers� market but the adjudicator missed it by a day. There are opportunities
to make a real contribution to waste-savings working with these traders.
Tidiness:
The newer areas of the town centre are generally
well-planned and neat. Some graffiti were seen in places like Chapel Lane east.
The bring bank in the big car park was in very good condition but there was some
litter. Please note that there are some street name signs missing and this can
be confusing. The old-style place names are lovely though. Some graffiti were
also noted on the derelict building just inside east Gate. What are the plans
for this building? The dental surgery needs some weed control outside. This
would be assisted by regular brushing. The lovely old Guinness sign on the city
wall needs to be touched up. Good use of Irish was noted on several businesses.
Well done. The poop-scoop bins / glove dispensers in the Regional Park are empty
and broken. These should be repaired or removed. Such facilities are not always
successful. Dog owners could be surveyed for their opinion and awareness of the
issue. A little graffiti was noted on the Canal Walk sign in the Park.
Residential Areas:
It was impossible to visit all areas but the following
are a few noteworthy examples. The green at the entrance to Tudor Grove / Church
View had immaculately cut grass and small and semi-mature trees. Castlepark was
very neat with some lovely gardens. Some of the walls in Fr. Sexton Park could
do with a coat of paint. Beech Park was nice but some planters would take some
of the grey look from the area. Old Quarter was extremely neat and the
landscaping very nicely done. The residential meets shopping area interface is
very well planned. The grass at Wyndham Downs is so well cut that it looks like
one could play golf here. Weed control here is excellent and the shrubs are
lovely. The tree-planting at the entrance to Coolroe Heights and the Avenue is
great. Also admired here were the well-pained signs, the geraniums and the area
around the pump. It is obvious that an effort is being made at Innishmore with a
very bright and leafy atmosphere being the result.
Roads, Streets and Back Areas:
There are lovely planters on Chapel Lane East and even
tables outside the restaurant here in spite of the awful summer so far! The
businesses tucked away in the lanes seem to make a great effort, the butcher and
caf� being memorable examples. The little square which includes the library has
several empty premises and unfortunately this gives an air of neglect. It was
good to see a bicycle lane from Shopping Centre to Old Quarter and into this
estate but is this the only one in the town?
Generally, signs, poles and other street �furniture� were in good condition on
day of visit. Several of the approach roads are extremely well planted such as
Station Road.
General Impression:
The presentation of the town did not disappoint
expectations by the quality of your entry. It does appear that you have both an
active group and the imagination to seek solutions. For such a busy town the
general level of tidiness and order was high. The housing estates featured some
extremely good examples of care and good management. You have addressed some of
the issues raised last year while making progress in others. Well done to all
involved.
Top
of Page
Home
|
