Feeding Pigeons in Waterlooville Town Centre to Cost You £80 From April
From Monday 9 April 2018, feeding pigeons in Waterlooville Town Centre will land you with an £80 fine. A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) targets pesky pigeons that are wreaking havoc on shoppers, local businesses, and residents.
Pigeon Plague Hits Waterlooville
Pigeons have taken over balconies around the precinct, ignoring nets, spikes, sound boxes, and even fake birds of prey. Residents are stuck inside, unable to use their balconies or open windows due to relentless pigeon droppings and noise.
Businesses in the Line of Fire
Cafés and shops are fed up with cleaning pigeon mess from tables and chairs daily. Sophia Goodwin from JDI Property Holdings, who manage flats in the precinct, said: “Pigeons are the number one problem for our residents. We’ve spent a lot on prevention, but the problem persists. We hope this new rule makes a difference.”
Council Cracks Down After Warnings Ignored
Councillor Tony Briggs, Deputy Leader, commented: “This pigeon problem is a real headache for residents. It’s unfair they have to live like this. We’ve asked people to stop feeding pigeons and launched a media campaign, but some ignore it. Now, the PSPO is the only option.”
The council expects pigeon numbers to fall by cutting off their food supply. Experts from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PiCAS) back this approach as the best way to tackle the issue.
Why Pigeons Are More Than a Nuisance
- Pigeon droppings cover buildings, smell foul, and damage structures by corroding materials.
- Nesting debris blocks gutters and chimneys, risking water damage and dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
- Pigeons spread diseases like Ornithosis, Listeria, and E. coli that can harm humans.
- When dry, droppings turn to airborne dust causing respiratory problems, including serious conditions like psittacosis.
The crackdown aims to protect people’s health and restore peace in Waterlooville. So, think twice before handing out crumbs — or it’ll cost you £80!
