NORDEN residents took to the streets in protest on Saturday (November 6), demanding action to sort the ‘disgusting’ bird mess and water drips blighting a popular footpath.

Around 50 people, of all ages, gathered by the railway bridge on Chapel Hill, in a protest event organised by Cllrs Paul Harvey and Laura James, and resident Paul Basham.

As previously reported, a petition was launched, calling on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC), Hampshire County Council (HCC) and Network Rail, to come to an agreement over a solution to the issues, which residents say have been affecting the area for several years.

They say that cleaning and meshing installed has been insufficient, and a more permanent solution is needed to deter the birds from perching on the bridge ledges, and offer residents a clean and safe walking route into town.

David Clarke, 74, moved from London to Cromwell Road eight years ago. He said: “It’s disgusting, the state of the bridges. It’s appalling, in a civilised society.

“It’s an easy problem to fix, with anti-pigeon spikes or something like that. It seems they just can’t get all parties together to agree.”

John Jolley lives in Chapel Gate and says he walks down the path every day.

The 86-year-old, who moved to Basingstoke from the Isle of Wight, said: “It’s dangerous, and slippery, for all types of people. I see mums with prams, and children.

“It’s lovely here [in Basingstoke] but when you’re walking down your intention is to go into the lovely shopping centre but you’ve got this mess to face!”

Craig Fletcher, also of Cromwell Road, said that, as the council seeks feedback from residents on how to make the town a place they want to walk and cycle, it should look at issues such as this one.

He added: “Especially after lockdown, people want to be outside, but right now that means walking past a dead bird!”

Another local resident, Bernie Meunier, added: “It’s an ongoing issue, for years and years. They just recently cleaned it as well, and it doesn’t take long to get into that condition again. Pigeon Poo Bridge, that’s what we call it.”

Bernadette Dunne, who lives on Sherborne Road, said: “I have been here a long time. One day, it had been raining and it was so messy and slippery that I fell out onto the road. I was so shaken, it was just awful. That was five years ago, and its still the same.

“It’s a real bugbear for people here, no one likes it.”

Giuseppe Antonelli, who used to own a jewellers in the town centre, added: “I don’t like this mess. The council spends lots of money modifying things, but has never cleared or done anything for the bridge. I walk into town and I see the rubbish on the floor and it’s beyond belief. I would like them to do something as soon as possible.

“I don’t like criticising much, but this isn’t right! Why do we have to live in this kind of environment when we pay our council tax? It’s not fair!”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’re aware of the issues at the railways bridges in the Chapel Hill area of Basingstoke. We have worked with Hampshire County Council and Dean Borough Council to provide some solutions which includes better drainage for the bridges and pigeon proofing to deter the birds.

“We’re happy to sit down with both parties again to see if we can find a better solution which benefits everyone.”

Interim executive director of residents’ services at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Tom Payne, added: “The councillors highlighted the issues for pedestrians walking under the bridge. Network Rail are responsible for the bridge causing the problem and Hampshire County Council for the highway.

“We regularly carry out cleaning there but the pigeon proofing on the bridge is inadequate and we have suggested a more robust scheme that will prevent pigeons roosting. Recent drainage work carried out by Network Rail under the bridge has also not addressed the problems. We are continuing to push Network Rail and the county council to agree an effective solution to resolve the problems with the dripping water and the pigeons.”

Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, Executive Member for Highway Operations for Hampshire County Council, said: “While I agree that the pigeon dropping and leak issues in this area are a nuisance and I respect people’s right to protest, the issue is not one for Hampshire County Council to address.

"Hampshire County Council was approached to make a financial contribution, but we have never agreed to fund works to address this problem.

"This is because, having reviewed the legal responsibility, it is an operational issue for Network Rail as the bridge owner.

"Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, as the Environmental Health Authority, have the necessary powers for enforcement action but this would be a matter for them to comment on.”

The group plans to present the petition, which gained more than 100 paper signatures on Saturday and has now launched online, to BDBC at full council next month.

You can view the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/we-want-action-on-cleaner-bridges