Pigeon path clean-up bid (From Halesowen News)

Pigeon path clean-up bid

5:14pm Monday 31st March 2008

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Old Hil residents are being asked to write to Network Rail calling for it to take action over pigeons messing onto the pavement from a railway bridge creating a danger for pedestrians.

Sandwell Council and Cradley Heath councillor Ann Shackleton want people to put pen to paper appealing for netting to be put up along the bridge in Halesowen Road to stop the mess getting onto the pavement.

Councillor Shackleton said Network Rail has just put netting up on a bridge in Graingers Lane but the situation in Halesowen Road is much worse.

She said: "It is fantastic they have taken action over the bridge in Graingers Lane - the netting is very effective.

"But the worst offending bridge is in Halesowen Road.

"That's the one we have had the most complaints over.

"If people write to them it will put more pressure on.

"The situation in Halesowen Road is awful.

"In the wet weather it's slippy and its a well used pavement - there's a bus stop and shop nearby and school children use it."

Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and housing Cllr Mahboob Hussain said Network Rail agreed to fund pigeon proofing at Halesowen Road with the council with the cost being met on a 50-50 basis.

But he said: "Unfortunately Network Rail pulled out of the scheme and nothing was done until March this year when Network Rail installed pigeon netting on Graingers Lane bridge.

"The council already considers all five bridges to be a problem and has informed Network Rail of this.

"The public are therefore being urged to write to Network Rail to express their concerns over the state of the footways caused by pigeons roosting in the bridges.

"For many years the council has spent a lot of money on clearing the mess and it is now time Network Rail plays its part."

Cllr Hussain said people should write to: Newtwork Rail, Infrastructure Liability and Clearance, The Mailbox, 100 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RT.

A Network Rail spokesman said people should write to the council instead.

He said: "If the council can build a strong enough case we will look at working with them to solve the problem - it may or may not involve putting up netting - the council needs to demonstrate there's a public nuisance."

Do you think netting should be installed on the Halesowen Road bridge? Post a comment.

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