Railway-loving pigeons wreak havoc for Leamington and Warwick locals

Warwick District Council has called for urgent action to tackle the ongoing problems caused by pigeons nesting under railway bridges in Warwick and Leamington Spa. 

The council has written to Network Rail, who are responsible for managing the thirteen rail bridges in the area, about their concerns, highlighting particular concerns at four key locations.

These sites have become heavily soiled with bird droppings, which has created not only an eyesore for locals and railway users, but also a significant challenge for the local waste teams who are struggling to maintain cleanliness in the area.

Councillor Will Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood, commented: “The problems arising from pigeons roosting under our railway bridges have been a serious concern for some time and have now reached a point where urgent action must be taken.”

It’s unsightly, as such a build-up of droppings is extremely off-putting for residents and visitors to our towns. More importantly, it has become a health and safety issue that Network Rail must address

Cllr Will Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood

“It’s unsightly, as such a build-up of droppings is extremely off-putting for residents and visitors to our towns. More importantly, it has become a health and safety issue that Network Rail must address.”

It is not only Warwick and Leamington locals who are having to contend with the chaos caused by the birds, however.

Cities across the country have been blighted with misbehaving pigeons, which has led to railway stations trialling various strategies to combat the pigeon-related problems.

Earlier this year, several stations in South Yorkshire deployed Harris hawks – named Maverik and Zulu – not to hunt pigeons, but rather to deter them through their presence.

The measure was trialled by train operator Northern, after plastic owls and recorded hawk noises failed to see off the trouble-making birds.

While high-tech and natural deterrents have been trialled across the country, more traditional methods also remain effective

Echoing Warwick District Council’s concerns, Northern acknowledged that it remains “locked in a long-running battle” with the pigeons due to the damage and corrosion their droppings cause.

In Driffield, a station in the South Yorkshire region, further steps have been taken, including the use of a substance known as ‘fire gel’.

This gel emits ultraviolet light, creating the illusion of heat, which aims to deters birds from landing. The solution hasn’t been totally successful in tackling the problem at Driffield however, with the birds simply moving to another part of the station building.

While high-tech and natural deterrents have been trialled across the country, more traditional methods also remain effective. These include the installation of deterrent wires and spikes to prevent pigeons from perching, as well as bird netting to block nesting access entirely.