Fears over pigeons caught in netting near Shrewsbury railway station

Netting was designed to stop the birds getting in under the bridge over Castle Foregate but they are still nesting there.

Drivers and pedestrians have raised concerns that pigeons are then not able to get back out, and are dying from starvation.

Rachael Thomson, 36, drives her three-year-old daughter under the bridge each day from their home in Hanwood towards Ditherington.

She said: "I first noticed that they were nesting where they shouldn't be.

"But some were getting stuck and they were there for some time. Some passed away and their bodies just seem to be left there.

"It got so bad that my little girl said 'mummy, it stinks', and I thought something had to be done."

In April, Shropshire Council said it had removed some of the netting which had been causing the same problem. The netting was originally put in place to deter the birds from roosting high in the eaves of the bridge and leaving mess on the pavements, roadways and passing traffic.

Although the bridge is owned by Network Rail, the former Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council entered into an agreement with them to maintain the netting. When Shropshire Council was created in 2009 it agreed to maintain the responsibility with Shrewsbury Town Council.

Mrs Thomson said she posted her concerns on Facebook and a few people had been in touch saying they also noticed the problem.

She said: "I know the pigeons are seen as pests but I think it would be better for everyone if they weren't there. "