COUNCIL PLOTS PLAN TO PURGE THOSE 'PESKY' PIGEONS FROM GRIMSBY TOWN HALL

Pigeons such as this one will soon have to find somewhere else for a home

                            

LIFE is set to get a whole lot more difficult for Grimsby town centre's population of perky pigeons.

The birds add personality to our streets, but some claim they are a pesky nuisance.

In the latter category are North East Lincolnshire Council and its private sector contractors, Engie, who plan to wage war.

The partnership has just announced a plan to banish the birds from one of their favourite nesting and roosting habitats - Grimsby Town Hall - by installing a blend of "control netting" and "control wire".

They say this will replace existing netting and wire that has deteriorated.

A report on the project says the birds are active in the following areas:

* On the top of the columns above the entrance

* On the leading ledges of the building where the bird deterrent has become damaged

* Behind the stone balconies where the netting has become damaged

It continues: "As a result of the above activities, there is a build-up of fouling on the roosting areas and the areas directly below.

 "The birds are using these areas to roost as it affords them excellent protection from the elements and are out of the reach of man, thereby offering them a degree of security.

"The level of fouling present is a potential slip hazard for any persons present in the infested area.

                                                          

Roosting birds not welcome - Grimsby Town Hall

 

"It may also represent a health hazard as bird fouling contains bacteria and insects which are harmful to man.

"These associated insects can also spread to the internal areas of the building if not appropriately treated."

The report continues: "The proposed netting will be low-visibility and relatively inconspicuous

"As well as being discreet, all the components of the system are rustproof and do not create rust marks on the building surface."

Before the project can proceed, Listed Building consent will be required.

However, this is highly highly to be granted likely given that it is  the applicants - NELC/Engie - who will be making the decision.

It is understood that pest control firm Rentokil is in pole position to secure the project if consent is granted.              

                                                        

How the Grimsby Telegraph reported the rumpus in Louth

The Grimsby News says:  Planners need to tread warily on this one, otherwise feathers may be flying in more ways than one. There are numerous examples (eg Louth Town Hall last year) of pigeons or other birds becoming distressed, then starving to death, after having become caught in netting. When that happens, it also upsets passers-by, especially children, and this rightly leads to deeply unfavourable coverage in the media. Assuming consent is granted, here's hoping  that the installation is delayed until after any chicks have flown the nest in order to prevent both death to them and distress to the parent birds.