Calls to clean-up Rainbow Bridge
Published 6 Aug 2012 10:00
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ALEXANDRIA residents are in a flap over squadrons of pigeons and seagulls bombarding the walkway beneath Rainbow Bridge with poo.
People are being confronted by hundreds of squawking birds roosting on the Bonhill bridge at night.
The pigeons' poo problem is so bad, that a path under the bridge used a vital crossing point for elderly residents, has become slippery underfoot because of droppings.
Householders have expressed concern about the potential for disease spreading to humans as a result of the filthy creatures.
Jim Bollan, Leven ward councillor, told the Reporter he has been contacted by anxious people living in the area.
He said: "This was brought to my attention by an elderly constituent who lives in Riverside Estate and I have arranged for the area to be power washed clean by Greenspace. The work should be carried out within a week.It actually cropped up last year. There was a contractor on site doing maintenance work on the bridge and it was brought to our attention. We got it power washed then but it's back again.
"The main problem down there is that the Riverside Estate is right next to the bridge and it's predominantly senior citizens living there.
"They use it as a short cut to get to the other side of the road but it's so slippy with seagulls' droppings, so there was a health and safety issue. They were worried about the underfoot conditions and they were worried about having to go up and chance getting knocked down trying to cross the road which is extremely busy.
"I have written separately to the department asking them to consider what other measures or devices we can employ to try and reduce the number of seagulls using Bonhill Bridge as a resting place."
Peter Eaton, of the Central Alexandria Tenants and Residents Association, added: "It's been going on for many years. The pigeons roost under the bridge and that's where all the droppings are coming from."
A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council confirmed that the route would be cleaned and the authority has vowed to look into the matter to find a permanent solution.
She said: "In the short term the council has cleaned the path under the bridge. Moving forward we are currently tendering to have the bridge re-painted, and part of the tender will include proofing the bridge to prevent pigeons from roosting and nesting on and under the bridge in future."
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 31 Jul 12
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