Plans to trap and cull breeding pairs of pigeons will be considered by members of Ross Town Council after they were made an offer to help with the costs of an initial course of action.

Residents of Wye Street and the Wilton Road area are so distressed at the effects of living with hundreds of pigeons that they attended the Town Council meeting to appeal for help in dealing with the issue.

As well as the dirty and uncared for appearance caused by the pigeons’ waste on the pavements, they are also concerned about the safety aspects of the slippy streets.

One resident said that her mother had already fallen on the uneven pavements in Ross and she is very concerned for her well being if she walks on the pavements where the pigeons leave their droppings. Another said it is not only the problem with it underfoot, they are constantly dropping their waste from above which is unpleasant.

Councillors agreed that there needed to be some action about the long standing problem. Councillor Phil Cutter said “?Whether it is Herefordshire Council or Ross Town Council, one of the Councils should deal with the pavements, this is a council responsibility but I don’t think you’ll ever get rid of the pigeons.” Councillor Chris Bartrum said:?“I know it is not our statutory duty (to deal with pigeons), and we could say it is nothing to do with us, but the people of Wye Street have had enough of it.

One resident has written to the Town Council about, what he called the “the disgraceful state of this area of Ross-on-Wye” and the dangers the pigeons present to public health.

The resident, Mr Lodge has taken advice from experts and in his letter he said that the only real solution would seem to be to trap the birds. The cost to the council would be £2500. He said that he would be prepared to reimburse this amount to the Town Council but only if the Council commits to fund similar operations whenever they are deemed necessary.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here