Town leaders in Norfolk and North Yorkshire are grappling with persistent High Street pigeon infestations that have left shop signs fouled, pavements soiled, and traditional deterrents failing. Local officials report that ultrasonic devices, hawks, and spikes have proven largely ineffective against the roosting birds.
Diss Town Council Struggles With Mere Street Pigeon Population
Pigeons have been leaving a town’s High Street looking dirty and efforts to deter the birds from congregating have failed, according to reporting by BBC News. Declan Craggs, the mayor of Diss in Norfolk, said that Diss Town Council tried using ultrasonic sound devices and employing a falconer’s hawks to scare the pigeons away from Mere Street, but nothing has worked.
While many locals agree with the council’s actions, others feel the pigeons are being unfairly demonised. Earlier this year, Norwich City Council similarly struggled to find a solution for a large population of pigeons at the market. To combat the issue on Mere Street, Craggs urged local accountability.
Declan Craggs, Mayor of Diss, stated via BBC News that it is about taking ownership of the town you live in and the business you run.
Craggs added that if everyone did their little bit, it would dramatically increase the appearance of Mere Street. In response to the mess, the council asked businesses in the town centre to consider putting spikes and other deterrents on their building front ledges.
Northallerton High Street Shop Becomes Target for Roosting Flock
A similar issue is unfolding in North Yorkshire. The New Look clothes store in Northallerton has become a target for a flock of roosting pigeons, according to The Northern Echo. While the shop windows have been kept clean, the store’s signs are covered in mess, and there are also droppings on the walls and pavement.
Efforts have been made to mitigate the impact of the birds, including the installation of anti-roosting spikes directly above. This has had little impact, however, with the birds now congregating at the apex of the building. Shoppers have speculated that the birds are targeting the building because it may lack adequate insulation, meaning escaping heat creates a warmer roosting environment. Pigeons have not been observed in such large numbers anywhere else in the High Street.
Northallerton Mayor John Coulson addressed the ongoing mess, noting community frustration. John Coulson said via The Northern Echo that a number of people had commented to him about it and it had looked to have been tidied up, but it seemed to have gone back to its previous state, adding that he was hoping to see some improvement.
Impact on Neighbouring Businesses and Customer Reactions
Nearby traders are feeling the impact of the infestation. Bettina Bell, retail director of food store Lewis and Cooper, which is located directly opposite New Look, described the situation bluntly.
Bettina Bell, Retail Director of Lewis and Cooper, stated via The Northern Echo that it is a terrible eyesore, and their customers have complained about it.
Bell added that it had gone on for too long, but their sympathies were with the shop’s staff, as they were the ones who must be asked about it all the time. Customers visiting the clothing store have voiced similar concerns about hygiene and appearance, though many note it does not stop them from patronising the business.
Staff inside the New Look store were unable to comment and directed inquiries to the company’s head office. A spokeswoman confirmed that a full clean of the signage took place before Christmas and stated that plans for a longer-term solution were in process. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Hambleton District Council clarified that the state of the building is the responsibility of the landlord, though he noted that the pavement outside New Look was recently cleaned using a motorised sweeping machine.
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