Council move will put pigeons to flight

Thousands of pigeons roosting in derelict industrial buildings are causing problems for bosses at Sandwell Council.

Huge numbers of the birds currently nest in derelict factories in the heart of West Bromwich.

But the buildings are due to be demolished within the next two years. To tackle the problem, Sandwell Council will be drawing up an action plan in the new year. The factories will be knocked down as part of the multi-million pound Eastern Gateway development.

Neighbourhoods chief Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: "The council is aware of the problems for the town centre caused by the roosting of pigeons in a number of derelict and unoccupied buildings in the area of the Eastern Gateway.

"We will be considering how to address this matter in the new year."

A recent report to council bosses revealed pigeons fouling the streets is one of the main concerns for residents.

The document reads: "Pigeon droppings are a real concern for residents particularly in and around Farley Fountain, West Bromwich and Smethwick High Street.

"Sandwell currently has a non-lethal policy to deal with pigeons and carries out occasional education and enforcement programmes to deal with people who put down food.

"Over the next two years, the derelict factories on the nearby Eastern Gateway will be demolished, which will result in large populations of pigeons currently roosting in the buildings finding alternative sites."

The report also highlighted the geese fouling problems in Smethwick Hall Park, the scene of the recent Duckgate controversy. Mother Vanessa Kelly from Oldbury was fined for littering for feeding ducks with her 17-month-old son Harry.

From April 28 2002 to November 19 2009, there were 308 complaints or concerns about pigeons in Sandwell.

Complaints included people feeding the pigeons in Dartmouth Square, birds nesting under railway bridges and derelict buildings being overrun with them.