Warwick District Council is asking for "urgent assistance" to counter rising problems caused by pigeons nesting under railway bridges in Warwick and Leamington Spa.

In a letter to Network Rail, which owns, operates and maintains the 13 bridges across the district, the council highlighted "serious concerns" about four locations where birds gathering underneath the archways have led to the pedestrian footpaths and handrails being heavily coated in droppings, despite the council's cleaning regime.

The council has urged Network Rail to "step-up" the prevention measures it has in place at Lower Avenue and Clemens Street/High Street in Leamington and Emscote Road and Coventry Road in Warwick where the management of the situation is now "ineffective".

The council said there are issues across the district (image via WDC)

Cllr Will Roberts, Warwick District Council's portfolio holder for neighbourhood commented: "The problems arising from pigeons roosting under our railway bridges has been of serious concern for some time and has now reached a point where urgent action must be taken.

"It's unsightly, as such a build-up of droppings is extremely off-putting for residents and visitors to our towns and it's becoming a health and safety requirement that Network Rail needs to address.

"We will work alongside Network Rail to find a lasting solution, but as custodian of the railway bridges, we will need their full cooperation to make real progress here."