CAMPAIGNERS have praised the county council after it pledged £20,000 for improvement works to a ‘disgusting’ bridge in Basingstoke.

As previously reported, hundreds of residents of Norden and surrounding area signed a petition last year, calling on Hampshire County Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Network Rail to work together to address the issue of bird poo and dead birds on the footpath at Vyne Road.

This is caused by pigeons using the bridge as a place to sit.

Campaigners branded the state of the road “disgusting” and appalling”, dubbing the railway bridge “pigeon poo bridge”.

Many also attended a demonstration in November to protest against the lack of action.

John Jolley, 86, from Chapel Gate, said: “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!”

READ MORE: Residents march in protest over blight of ‘Pigeon Poo Bridge’

David Clarke, 74, of Cromwell Road, added: “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.”

Now, Hampshire County Council has pledged funds “as a gesture of goodwill”, as the parties continue to work together towards a solution.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “Managing and maintaining the bridge at Vyne Road/Chapel Hill in Basingstoke and, therefore, responsibility for managing the nuisance issues caused by perching pigeons, lies with Network Rail as the bridge owner.

“We can confirm that the County Council will continue to work with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to encourage Network Rail to take action and resolve the problem.

“As a gesture of goodwill and, in a bid to expedite action by Network Rail, the County Council has offered a one-off contribution of £20,000 towards measures to solve the problem and make the route safer for highway users."

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s interim head of environment and community services, Robert Draper, said: “We are aware of the funding offered to Network Rail by Hampshire County Council to address the ongoing need for pigeon proofing and drainage at Vyne Road.

“The borough council also offered Network Rail funding to support cleaning work. We are continuing to work with both Hampshire County Council and Network Rail to resolve the situation.”

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A Network Rail spokesperson added: “We’re sorry the local community are unhappy with the pigeon proofing measures at the railway bridges in the Chapel Hill area of Basingstoke.

“We’re committed to finding an urgent solution that benefits both the community and the birds, and are working with the local council.”

Reacting to the news, Paul Basham, Norden resident and long-term campaigner, said: “It feels like we are finally seeing some results and some action. I am grateful to Mr Oppenheimer and pleased that Hampshire County Council has committed to putting £20,000 forwards.

“I am delighted that people power is alive and well - and extend my thanks to everyone that came to the protest and the 463 people that signed our petition.

“I understand that Basingstoke and Deane Council and Network Rail are in discussions and it will be interesting to see what they agree next.”

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