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Pigeon path clean-up bid
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| Above: Councillor Ann Shackleton by the offending bridge. |
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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.
5:14pm Monday 31st March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Peter Adams, Cradley Heath on 6:22pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Is there a local election coming up by any chance? Is this the only Pigeon Pooh Politician in the world?
Is there a local election coming up by any chance? Is this the only Pigeon Pooh Politician in the world?
Posted by: jule13, Cradley Heath on 2:01pm Wed 7 May 08
I would agree netting should be installed on the Halesowen Road bridge, but can i make the observation of why hasn't netting been installed on all bridges where pedestrians have to walk underneath? Surely there is a constant hazard if pigeons are nesting above. Every morning, I have to walk underneath the bridge on the Cradley Road, B4173 that runs from Lyde Green to High Street, Cradley at the junction with Chester Road and Station Street and it is not pleasant, especially if it is or has been raining. As it is the quickest way to work i dont have much choice! I would welcome netting being installed on any bridges where the public must walk underneath and would ask why they havent been before. Who is liable if someone fell over and hurt themselves or worse still fell into the path of a vehicle because of the dangerous conditions under foot?
I would agree netting should be installed on the Halesowen Road bridge, but can i make the observation of why hasn't netting been installed on all bridges where pedestrians have to walk underneath? Surely there is a constant hazard if pigeons are nesting above. Every morning, I have to walk underneath the bridge on the Cradley Road, B4173 that runs from Lyde Green to High Street, Cradley at the junction with Chester Road and Station Street and it is not pleasant, especially if it is or has been raining. As it is the quickest way to work i dont have much choice! I would welcome netting being installed on any bridges where the public must walk underneath and would ask why they havent been before. Who is liable if someone fell over and hurt themselves or worse still fell into the path of a vehicle because of the dangerous conditions under foot?
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