Great result for Swords in anti-litter survey

RESIDENTS in Swords have every reason to bask in a warm glow this year after their town performed brilliantly in an anti-litter survey.

Swords was placed third of 40 towns and cities in the survey for 2019 by the business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).

Swords obtained a ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ ranking for 2019, while Dublin Airport Environs also scored well, achieving 19th place and given a ‘Clean to European Norms’ rating in the list.

An Taisce, who carried out the survey on behalf of IBAL, described the Swords performance as a “stellar showing for this large urban area”.

“Swords is a model for others to follow,” said An Taisce. 

“The River Walk and Castle Shopping Centre were top-ranking this time around, as was Swords Town Park (excellent in terms of presentation and maintenance), Swords Castle and the Main Street – the latter presented well with silver bollards, floral arrangements, traffic light box art, seating etc.”

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien said it is great to see Swords high up on the list and going beyond what is required to create and maintain a clean environment for everyone in the community. 

“Swords Tidy Towns have been instrumental in this achievement and I would like to thank them for all the work they have done,” he said. 

David Storey, Director of Operations in Fingal County Council, said: “Being placed so high on the 2019 list recognises all of the work that goes into keeping Swords tidy and litter-free, and I would like to thank everyone who has put the work into making this possible.”

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF), who represents the Swords Local Electoral Area (LEA), said it was an incredible achievement by Swords Tidy Towns and Fingal County Council, “especially when you remember back to 2003 when Swords was labelled a litter black spot and bottom of the league”. 

“I am so proud of Swords Tidy Towns who work brilliantly with Fingal County Council and what they have achieved,” said Cllr Butler.

“Next time you pass them out and about on a Saturday morning, give them a beep of the horn and a big thank you, or better yet, join them. It is great fun and very fulfilling. 

“Thank you also to the excellent Fingal County Council Operations team who do brilliant work and support our Tidy Towns volunteers.”