Monday, March 10, 2014

A clean start for Limerick City Centre streets

A multi-agency approach to further enhancing the physical appearance of the historic streets of Limerick City Centre was launched at Baker Place today.

Developed by Limerick City and County Council, Limerick Civic Trust and Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns, the 'Street A Week' campaign involves Civic Trust employees dedicating their efforts to a specific street each week in the city centre and areas around King John's Castle and the Strands.  Works being carried out include weed removal, power washing, minor graffiti removal, street furniture maintenance, gum removal and cleaning of signage.

Prior to work commencing, City Centre TidyTowns volunteers will distribute leaflets to local businesses to encourage them to take on some responsibility for their street when the Civic Trust has moved on.  It is hoped the 'Street A Week' campaign will complement ongoing street sweeping and maintenance works carried out by the Council.

The campaign begins on Baker Place this week before proceeding to Quinlan St, Rutland St and Wickham St. during the remainder of the month.

Welcoming the initiative, Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Kathleen Leddin said: “It is important that Limerick puts its best put forward during 2014 particularly as it is the National City of Culture and will be attracting thousands of additional visitors during the year. I also welcome Limerick City and County Council’s support for this campaign, both financially and in spirit, and the fact that the Civic Trust is working in partnership with the City Centre TidyTowns Committee to maximise the effectiveness of the campaign.”

According to the Chair of Limerick Civic Trust, David Deighan: “The Civic Trust is delighted to be staffing the programme through its CE schemes. This is what the Civic Trust and its members have been doing for the past 30 years and I hope that our efforts helps drive on the Tidy Towns initiative and further enhance Limericks image.”

Helen O Donnell, Chair of the Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns added that Limerick City Centre TidyTowns volunteers are continuing to look at ways to work with groups across the city to strengthen the City Centre's TidyTowns entry for 2014. 

She continued: “It is great to partner with the Civic Trust and the Council on this initiative.  We would encourage every owner occupier in the city centre to get involved and help maintain their street once the Civic Trust has moved on.'

Kieran Lehane, Director of Services, Limerick City and County Council added: “The Council is delighted to collaborate with the Civic Trust and the City Centre Tidy Towns group on the 'Street A Week' Campaign.  Making Limerick a cleaner, brighter place to work and live is a key aim for the Council.  We would ask everyone who owns, works or simply shops on these streets to do their bit and help present our city in a good light.”