more bad press for edinburgh ferals

[tuxedobaby]

But city leaders, through their health and safety obligations, have been forced into action.

Officials will now draw up a prioritised list of bridges for the anti-bird measures, as well as cost and time-scales for the work.

Last week the Evening News revealed plans to hire hawks or falcons to scare pigeons away from the Scottish Parliament building.

Network Rail today said it was happy to work with the city council to help it install appropriate anti-pigeon measures.

Councillor Maureen Child, who raised the issue after receiving complaints from constituents in her Portobello and Craigmillar ward, said: "I know people make light of the matter, but pigeon poo is just as harmful as dog stuff.

"There are some bridges, such as Newcraighall, where the pavements are tight, and people are having to try and balance as they go along to try and avoid touching walls covered in the stuff.

"The council needs to take the lead on this on environmental health grounds."

It is estimated that around £15 million a year is spent removing pigeon droppings or preventing the nesting of pigeons in the UK.

Excessive build-up of the bird waste was linked to the collapse of a road bridge in the United States last year, which killed 13 people. Experts believe a build-up of corrosive droppings weakened the metal structure in Minneapolis.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "Responsibility for dealing with pigeons lies with councils, but we are happy to work with local authorities to help them install appropriate anti-pigeon measures if they wish to do so."

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport leader, said: "The council has no locus to ensure Network Rail takes steps to prevent pigeons roosting under railway bridges.

looks like more of our feral friends in edinburgh are in for a rough time,be assured,MORE complaints will follow from me and other folk who like pigeons,bridges collapsing,pigeon poo,scaremongering by our media.i know these bridges personally and they are really NOT as bad as is being made out by our local paper