BRAY WAS TOP DOG in the league tables in Wicklow in the Irish Business Against Litter survey coming in at 21st position - a stark charge to two years ago when the town lolled in the doldrums at the bottom of the table.

Although coming out top in Wicklow and being classed as clean to European norms the town didn't fare as well as 2009. The judges, however, said it was a good result.

Half of the sites surveyed in Bray were very good with the Promenade singled out for its excellent appearance. However, the Old Dargle Road was lambasted with judges saying it ' has been abused and ignored by those responsible for its maintenance'.

Although the Main Street has a number of vacant premises the judges still felt a good effort had been made to keep the area well presented.

' The Main Street is an excellent site and clean to European norms. Quite a few of the premises were unoccupied but clearly some effort has been made with the presentation of these units. They didn't impact in any negative way on the litter situation.

'Scoil Naofa is another site clean to European norms. The public area outside the school was clear of litter. The area of the school visible from the road was spotless. The overall impression was of a very well cared for and respected environment.' The Tesco Shopping Centre on the Vevay Road was also praised. ' The car park at Tesco was exceptionally full at the time of the litter survey. Despite high levels of activity it was a clean and tidy site. The recycle facility at the rear was fine with makeshift notices to keep the area tidy. There were several separate incidents of graffiti in the car park.'

One of the top sites in Bray was the Promenade which judges lavished praise on. ' The Promenade is clean to European norms as well. It was an excellent site. The whole promenade and surrounding grassy area was spotless. It is a wonderful amenity which is very well respected and cared for.'

The final area in the town which was classed as clean to European norms was Bray Dart Station. ' The area outside the train station was clear of litter and the interior of the station was well maintained. This is a top ranking site overall.'

Two approach roads to the town were criticised by the judges who deemed them to be moderately littered.

' The Approach from the Shankill Roundabout was moderately littered. Despite the Welcome to Bray signs along this route it was completely negated by the area surrounding a bus shelter on the left hand site. The grassy area in front of some houses was ruined by litter. The rest of the approach was fine.

' The Vevay Road Approach was also moderately littered. All of the loose litter along this route was food related. It took away from what could easily be a top ranking site.' Connaught Avenue was also let down by the presence of litter according to judges who classed the area as moderately littered but it was felt that with a little work the area would improve significantly.

'A light scatter of loose litter (fast food wrappers, plastic bags and sweet papers) on Connaught Avenue took away from what could easily be a top ranking site,' according to the judges.

The park on the Lower Dargle Road also had high and low points but was ultimately deemed moderately littered. ' This is a large expanse of green space which was in good order; however it was let down by a discarded carpet and felt material.'

The judges kept their most stinging criticism for the Old Dargle Road. ' This was by far the most heavily littered site surveyed in Bray. There was one isolated area on the left hand site which was responsible for the poor ranking. It has clearly been used and abused as a dumping ground and ignored by those responsible for its maintenance.'