Adjudication Report

Marks Awarded (of 400 available) 274 (270 in 2008)

Droichead Nua or Newbridge
Your Town - It's easy to make a difference

Newbridge received a Bronze Medal in the 2009 National Tidy Towns Competition.


Newbridge Town Park / The Liffeyside Amenity Area was presented with the National Waterside Award in the National Tidy Towns Competition 2008.

The commendation stated:
Communities in Ireland are defined by their people not their geography. This award is in recognition of the people and businesses who have collaborated as a community to work to improve their environment, foster civic pride and make their town a better place to live, work and visit.

Ní hé an tíreolaíocht a chuireann aithne ar pobail na hÉireann, ach na daoine atá ina gconaí iontu. Tugann an bhronnadh seo aitheantas ar leith dóibh siúd, muintir na háite agus comhlachtaí, a tháinig le chéile chun a gcuid timpeallacht a fheabhsú, bród síbhialta a chothú agus áit cónaithe, oibrithe agus cuairte níos fearr a dhéanamh as a mbaile féin.

This award was presented to Newbridge by the Minsiter for the Environment Mr. John Gormley TD, and sponsored by The Heritage Council / An Chomhairle Oidhreachta.

Newbridge was also awarded a Bronze Medal in its population category, the third such award received by the town in the National Tidy Towns Competition.

Competition Section	Maximum Marks	Marks 2006	Marks 2007	Marks 2008	Marks 2009
Overall Development Approach	50	44	44	46	46
The Built Environment	50	32	35	36	37
Landscaping	50	37	37	37	37
Wildlife and Natural Amenities	50	26	30	30	31
Litter Control	50	21	25	26	27
Waste Minimisation	20	14	14	14	14
Tidiness	30	15	15	15	15
Residential Areas	40	26	28	29	29
Roads, Streets and Back Areas	50	31	33	29	30
General Impression	10	7	7	8	8
Total Marks	400	253	268	270	274

Overall Development Approach:
Welcome to the 2009 competition. Thank you for your considered submission and map which made it easy to locate projects and tasks around the town which have received your attention. I am very impressed with your organisation’s efficiency, energy, range of contact, fundraising skills and indeed its list of achievements. The involvement of local schools is an encouraging sign for better understanding and adoption of environmental standards to come.

The Built Environment:
Your build environment is a great asset. Central Newbridge, as the cliché goes, is a town of two halves. On different sides of the same street two contrasting periods. On one side the older vernacular buildings, typical market town houses and shops. And on the other the more recent developments allowed by the closing of the army barracks. The foot-bridge is a fine addition to the bridge and an innovative design that might well be copied by several other towns where movement is “pinched" with a narrow bridge. Several good examples of how to retain and reuse older buildings are evident along the mains street. David Young the Pharmacy shows how new work can fit in. I was delighted to be told, when on John Street, that it’s cottages are at present being conserved and refurbished. I note your determination to ensure that the towns listed structures are conserved. The Victorian buildings at the railway station would benefit from some attention. Modern Newbridge has a lot of good quality architecture. I liked the entrance to the Whitewater Centre with its canopies and innovative seating. The Credit Union Building and the Horse Racing Ireland building are fine examples of good modern architecture. Last years criticism of the Post Office has had results, it now look clean and well maintained.

Landscaping:
Your treatment of the river and its walks are a pleasure to experience. The fountain was still in place at the time of my inspection, but hopefully soon it will be replaced with a new sculpture. The planters around the town are a delight. The idea of your winter planting programme is innovate and very attractive. Well done. Your choice of planters on “legs” is wise. They look light on the ground and cleaner than the box type container. The front of the Garda Station and its car park are well maintained. The gardens to the side and rear of the St Conleth’s Church are a tranquil delight. Displays at the turn for Athgarvan Road work very well. Well done on your improvements on the Athgarvan Road, the Green Road Corner, and Moorefield Road, they are all now positive visual improvements.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities:
I very much enjoyed waking the river side walks. The information boards here were much appreciated. You are well advanced with your natural wildlife amenities and I hope that soon your bio diversity study will be widely published. I am impresses with the design of the wheelchair accessible furniture in the park and the improved paths. I look forward to seeing the successful completion of your proposed enclosed wildlife area in the park. The bird and proposed bat boxes will greatly help to improve it’s range of wildlife. Good luck with your efforts to ensure that the 80metre set back of development from the river is maintained.

Litter Control:
I was impressed by the lack of litter seen around the central town area. Your management plans are evidently working Small areas of litter were seen at the edges of the car park beside the GAA grounds. The car park at Woodie’s could do with regular cleaning. By contrast the adjoining Tesco car park was well maintained. The area immediately beside the recycle centre here is also well maintained.

Waste Minimisation:
Congratulations of promoting ideas such as recycling and conservation of energy on your website. Your contact with local schools on this issue is very important. As children learn about environmental issues such as litter, energy, travel and water, they often take ownership of these issues themselves, and make plans on how to improve these areas within the school and the wider community. Congratulations on your Newbridge Environmental Week. I am sure that it has a significant impact on thinking in the town about the environmental issue which we all face.

Tidiness:
The town generally looks neat and tidy. The persisting traffic however is a nuisance and divides the two sides of the main streets. It might be time now for a radical traffic management system. I noted weeds coming up through the paving on the terrace and in front of the Riverside Centre. The stub walls at the grass verges opposite the riverside walk need attention. Graffiti was evident on the walls opposite the School on Chapel Lane The surface of the car park at the railway station, together with the management and the landscaping of the site should be improved. Some planting would help improve the image of the Topaz garage and the nearby Ballymany Shopping Centre. Well done on the improvement to the front of St. Patrick’s Church and the areas around the Town Hall.

Residential Areas:
I was impressed with the standards of presentation of residential areas in general and with the extent of the projects that you have undertaken in this category. The National Spring Clean is evidently effective judging by the general high standard of maintenance of the residential areas in addition to your regular contact and advice to the residents associations. Your campaign for an approved signage system is very worthwhile. When done, when it is implemented it will indicate a strong sense of civic pride. The fruits of your work with the “Tree Purchase Scheme” are clearly evident at Kilbelin, Curragh, and Moorefield Park.

Roads, Streets and Back Areas:
I note the good and level quality of the pavements in the town, and the side streets were equally well presented. There has evidently been a continuous improvement to the foot paths since the advent of pay–parking in the town. The work on the foot-paths to allow easier crossing to wheelchair users is welcome. The entrance markers to the town, the roundabouts and approach roads are well maintained with commercial companies evidently playing their part.

General Impression:
The town is looking well. I enjoyed my visit. You are doing a great job with a good team, keep up the good work.

Second Round Adjudication:
Newbridge did not qualify for a second Adjudication.

Droichead Nua or Newbridge
Your Town - It's easy to make a difference