Trapped pigeons at Letchworth railway bridge cause road closure
Pigeons often nest underneath the railway bridge in Norton Way North in Letchworth. Picture: Paul Ross - Credit: Archant
A main road in Letchworth was closed on Saturday after a concerned member of public called Network Rail regarding the welfare of pigeons stuck in mesh at the railway bridge.
Norton Way North was closed for a time at the weekend as Network Rail attended to the trapped pigeons. Picture: Paul Ross - Credit: Archant
Norton Road North was closed for a time on Friday and Saturday so Network Rail workers could carry out repairs to a mesh cover – designed to deter pigeons from nesting at the bridge – after birds became stuck.
A resident concerned for the welfare of the pigeons informed Network Rail, which saw workers attend to remove them and repair the mesh to stop them from getting stuck again.
Passerby Paul Ross told the Comet: “Pigeons have nested there for some time.
“My concern is that many attempts have been made over the years to rid the bridge of the pigeon problem and the mess they create on the paths beneath.
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“However, nothing seems to work and given the costs and inconvenience caused while work is being done, it seems ludicrous that the birds are still gaining access and apparently becoming trapped, which is distressing to passersby.
“One would assume they were going to starve to death if they had been stuck there.”
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Network Rail workers attended on Friday to free the birds from the mesh and repair any holes so they could not become trapped again.
A Herts County council spokeswoman said: “Network Rail put an emergency closure on over the weekend on Saturday evening into Sunday morning.
“The closure should now be lifted.”
A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: “We are aware there have been issues with pigeons becoming trapped at a rail bridge in Norton Way North in Letchworth.
“Network Rail workers have on two previous occasions carried out work to remove pigeons that had become caught in the mesh that is designed to stop pigeons sitting underneath the bridge.
“On Friday, workers returned to the bridge and started to remove pigeons that have become trapped in the mesh.
“Work continued into the weekend to repair any holes in the mesh and gaps in an adjacent wooden walkway to prevent further birds becoming trapped.
“We thank the member of the public who brought this to our attention.”
