More cleaning needed on ‘grubby’ streets

Some of the main streets of Mayo's county town "look grubby", according to a local councillor

Independent Cllr Harry Barrett told last week's Castlebar Municipal District meeting that a cleaning schedule needs to be put in place to keep the county town clean and attractive for locals and visitors. 

“Great work is being done but I would like to see what the cleaning schedule is. Some of our main streets still look grubby and need to be power-washed. We also need to keep the pressure on so that people think twice about littering and start looking at the optics.” 

Cllr Cyril Burke agreed saying huge efforts had been made to clean the town and streets over the past 12 months and the town had looked “exceptionally well" for the Connacht-Munster rugby match earlier this year.

“We need to maintain that. Also, at McCormack Estate I note the grass was mown but all the edges were left and that almost makes it look worse.” 

Cllr Burke said the town will host a musical festival on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

“A lot of people will be coming for that and it is another great opportunity to promote the town. Buildings are being refurbished and other good work is going on so this is an opportunity to promote the town further.” 

Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Donna Sheridan agreed a lot of work was needed to clean the town and said she was grateful to the council team for the work they do. 

“We have some of the best outdoor staff but are left with so little resources. We have to fight to make sure we have the staff to do the work we need to do." 

Cllr Blackie Gavin said that on the weekend of the rugby match he walked the length of the town with the President of the Association of Irish Local Government, Kieran O’Hanlon, adding: “As we walked down from Ellison Street with his private secretary he said to me you have the most beautiful, gorgeous clean town. It was lovely to hear and thanks to all the work done by the community and Tidy Towns and the local district in this regard.”

Head of the district David Mellett said the cleaning schedule would be finalised "once the resources are in place". 

"We are very proactive around certain events such as the upcoming Four Day Walks Festival when visitors will be coming in so the place will look well. I also wish to acknowledge Castlebar Community Clean-up, residents' associations and Tidy Towns for the work they do. As to power washing, a tender has been run for a number of streets this year and some were also done last year.”