Filthy streets and roads reveal lack of civic pride

I WISH to make a few sad observations on Cork city and surrounding areas, Cobh included.

One cannot fail to see the filth strewn on the sides of our main roads around and in the city.

This can be blamed on a few factors — some people refusing to pay for refuse collection (and dumping their rubbish out of car windows) and the litter left over long periods — sometimes for years — from all the construction work in and around the city.

This includes plastic, cardboard, steel and timber lying not only on the sides but in the middle of the roads.

What a lovely sight this must have been for visitors during the European Capital of Culture year, especially those travelling by bus through the county and cruise passengers who travelled to and from Cobh to see “your beautiful country”.

How come some towns are beautifully kept — no litter, no chewing gum, no dog droppings. But in far too many places people seem to have no pride left. Do we have to go abroad to improve our social behaviour?

Can we blame all this on the Celtic Tiger?

Where have the old values gone — such as shopkeepers and householders cleaning their own patches?

Isn’t it sad you can tell when the waste disposal operatives — bin men in my day — have been to your area because of the mess they leave behind, and how often did you find your bin as much as 200m from your door?

What a sad country we have become.

Should we rename it the Filthy Rich Rip-off Republic with the emphasis on ‘filthy’?

Frank Nash

2 Beausite Terrace

Rushbrooke

Cobh

Co Cork