Essex Railway Station Pigeon Mess Efforts Deemed Unsatisfactory

A local official wants action about pigeon mess. The mess is under the railway bridges near Shenfield Station, and he thinks Network Rail should do more. The bridges divide Shenfield and Hutton Mount. Many cars and people use Rayleigh Road below.

People worry about health issues from the bird droppings. The area under the bridges was called “toxic”. Councillor David Worsfold thinks current efforts are poor; he said this at a recent meeting.

He said officers met with Network Rail to stress that current actions aren’t enough. Heavier gridding covers some pavement sections under the bridges, but the officer believes this doesn’t work well.

Worsfold added the gridding isn’t effective because pigeons get in and get trapped, also some pigeons die. He says work is limited and disappointing, and it doesn’t solve the issue because bridge parts are exposed and above roads. He thinks Network Rail isn’t doing its part.

Brentwood Council says they clean the area twice a week, sweeping and jet-washing. They have seen reduced mess levels.

The council met with Network Rail on January 14 and saw no gaps in the birdproofing. A report will further study and stop the issue, but the council knows Network Rail has no plans to extend birdproofing.

A report says Network Rail finds no issue for roads, and they won’t extend proofing to bridge parts above roads. Network Rail was asked to comment.