50436 Pest control issues with pigeons on Southern network

May 2012 in Train Operations

Station and platform Work environment South East

A reporter is concerned that there is a pest control problem with pigeons that is not being dealt with on the Southern network.  This is a particular problem at stations between London Bridge and West Croydon.

Pigeons have frequently been seen nesting in the arches of the overhead walkways and bridges, which is resulting in the platforms below being covered in pigeon mess.  The reporter is concerned that the pigeon mess creates slipping and hygiene hazards on the platforms.   In addition dead pigeons have been seen rotting on the floor at some stations on this route. 

The reporter feels that Southern are not doing enough to deter the pigeons from nesting at stations. 

Could Southern:

• Clean up the pigeon mess and remove any dead pigeons at their stations, with    special attention paid to the stations between London Bridge and West Croydon?
• Take measures to deter the pigeons from nesting at these stations, by either    putting up wire meshing or spikes?

 

Response from Southern

Southern would like to thank the reporter for brining this matter to our attention.

The station management team in the Southern Metro area have in place a planned general inspection regime, where items such as pigeon excrement are identified and removed. If the identified issues can be resolved locally then we use our station teams to remove the excrement from our station areas.

If the issue is more of an infrastructure problem then we work in partnership with Network Rail to resolve it. An example of this has been at Streatham station where recently Network Rail, working alongside Southern, replaced the pigeon netting under the bridge to stop pigeons nesting at this location.  This has had an immediate effect on the station environment. 

We can assure the reporter that issues such as this are regularly dealt with and our local station management team carries out daily, weekly and quarterly planned general inspections and faults are recorded and addressed.   

The stations that were highlighted by the reporter, Thornton Heath and North Dulwich, were visited following receipt of the report and there was only a minor issue found at Thornton Heath that will be monitored. 

Should there be any specific concerns we would like the reporter to report the problem to the local Manager for suitable action to be taken.

Response from London Overground

LOROL would like to thank the reporter for raising their concerns and for the opportunity to clarify the actions being taking to combat the issues regarding pigeons on its routes. 

LOROL has in place a twice daily cleaning regime at all its stations. This includes the removal of pigeon waste and carcasses from all station areas, including the platforms.  Additionally, platforms are 'heavy cleaned' at least once per month.  We have a pest control plan in place to manage the number of pigeons and regularly undertake exercises to prevent nesting or roosting.  Deterrents have, and will, continue to be installed at the more troublesome locations. 

  Awaiting response from Network Rail