18 hours Ago By [email protected] (Steve Graves)
The train operator said it is locked in a long-running battle Northern Rail is pleading with customers to stop feeding pigeons that have taken up residence at several of its stations. The rail operator has been engaged in a protracted struggle with the birds, whose nests and hazardous, corrosive droppings reportedly cause issues at the stations. Instances of people feeding pigeons have been observed at stations such as Manchester Victoria, Castleford (West Yorkshire), and Bingley (West Yorkshire) in recent times, attracting more birds to these locations.
Northern, which operates services from Liverpool Lime Street, is encouraging individuals to avoid feeding the birds and ensure they do not leave any unwanted food on the platforms. The company has experimented with various methods to deter the birds, including installing plastic owls at Morpeth station in Northumberland last year as part of a trial. Pre-recorded hawk sounds were also broadcast from speakers at Driffield station in East Yorkshire, and the roof was coated with 'fire gel', which appears as ultraviolet light to the pigeons and tricks them into believing the surface is too hot to land on.
READ MORE: Two people and dog found in 'immediate danger' after being cut off by tide READ MORE: M53 motorway closures starting October 20 However, Northern had to rethink its strategy when the audacious pigeons continued to flock to both stations and nest. Spikes and netting have proven more successful in recent years, preventing the birds from perching and nesting in certain areas without causing them harm. Despite this, these measures have not completely eradicated the pest issue, as some pigeons have simply relocated to other parts of the station.
Matt Rice, Northern’s chief operating officer, stated: "We know the vast majority of our customers do not want to be bothered by pigeons at our stations, so we have looked into several humane ways of keeping these stubborn birds away." He also added a call to action: "We’re urging customers to help us deal with this pest problem by making sure they don’t feed any of the pigeons or leave food lying around." Northern operates as the second-largest train service in the UK, providing 2,500 daily services to over 500 locations across the North.
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