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Public asked what they want to do next about Spalding's pigeon problem




Residents are being asked what they would like to see done next in the quest to rid Spalding of its town centre pigeon mess problem.

A 12-week trial saw a hawk flown in the town twice a day in a bid to scare off the birds and stop them spoiling the streets with their faeces.

That trial is now over - and the district council wants residents to let them know whether to carry on using the hawk, which would cost £2,500 for another 12 weeks.

Coun Rodney Grocock in Spalding Town Centre with pigeons (54818857)
Coun Rodney Grocock in Spalding Town Centre with pigeons (54818857)

Coun Rodney Grocock said: “Whenever I am spending money I am conscious that it’s never my money. I believe we should ask the residents again to see what they think.

“Really the question is would they like the council to do a second 12-week programme to fly the hawk twice a day or wrap it up.

“I would like the public to tell me.”

The 12-week trial ended on June 20 and the contractor gave the council feedback at the start of July.

Coun Grocock added: “They believe that the pigeon numbers have gone down slightly. I have had a walk around the town three or four times and I believe they are slightly reduced.

“But the bad news is that I have witnessed on numerous occasions that people are still feeding the birds.”

People are feeding the pigeons in Spalding town centre
People are feeding the pigeons in Spalding town centre

The district cabinet member said that the council has received a letter praising their approach to the pigeon problem - but he wants to hear the views of the wider public before deciding how to act next.

When it comes to the people feeding the birds - often on the benches outside Boots - he said the council is reluctant to look into punishments.

Coun Grocock said: “We have got signs up there. The only thing we could do is start dishing tickets out and I don’t want to do that.

“I am an animal lover myself. I love nature and everything about it.

“I would never have done anything cruel to the pigeons, this was to make the pigeons feel less comfortable, feel out of their comfort zone with to moving pigeons out to doing what they do - eating fruit and seeds in the countryside as opposed to chip butties and things that people discard.”

He added: “Please stop feeding them because it goes against what they are trying to achieve - and spending taxpayers money on.”

l What do you think? Email your views to jeremy.ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk



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