Pavements 'an absolute eyesore' due to pigeon poo

Streets under a bridge in Shrewsbury have been called an "absolute eyesore" by one visitor to the town who was disgusted by the build up of pigeon poo.

Devereux Biddlecomb told the BBC the pavements under the train bridges on Chester Street and Castle Foregate were caked in pigeon poo and the "grotty state" was spoiling the town's beauty.

Deputy leader of Shropshire Council, Alex Wagner, said it needs permission from Network Rail to improve the netting on the bridges, where the birds roost.

"It is the number one problem in my inbox for the area," Wagner said. Network Rail who owns the bridges, has been contacted for a response.

Deputy leader of Shropshire Council Alex Wagner said it was trying to improve the state of the bridges

Liberal Democrat Wagner added while the council has plans to improve the area, it needed to go "step by step" as there would be no point on doing a big clear up, until the netting was updated.

Network Rail improved the netting in 2021 and while Vagner said it helped, it only solved the issue for a short while.

"It is clear we need more netting, perhaps the meshing style...that is more hardcore and metal rather than the sort of string we have at the moment," he said.

He added the bridges and paths underneath formed a key linkway which "tens of thousands of people have as their main pedestrian route".