City of Lincoln Council has taken positive steps to improve the environment of Lincoln Central bus station by installing a series of humane pigeon deterrents and increasing the number of bins on site.
The open plan station, featuring timber beams and large automatic doors had increasingly become a nesting site for pigeons. Their presence created hygiene concerns and impacted on the overall experience for bus users.
Working with the contractor Gelder Group, the council has tackled the issue without causing harm to the birds.
Last month, measures including the introduction of net and rounded spikes were installed in the station. These were chosen as they effectively discourage pigeons from roosting or nesting without causing them harm. Rounded spikes prevent birds from landing comfortably on beams and ledges while netting blocks access to typical nesting zones. This approach aligns with the council’s commitment to animal welfare.
This move comes as part of the council’s wider commitment to keeping the city’s public transport facilities clean, welcoming and accessible to all.
To help keep the area clean and discourage pigeons from returning, additional bins have been ordered for the site. However, these have not yet been fitted. Clear replacement bins will be installed in due course to encourage responsible disposal of waste and support the station’s cleanliness.
Cllr Joshua Wells, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council, said of the developments:
“We are delighted to introduce these new measures to the city’s bus station, creating a cleaner and safer environment for users.
“Regular bus users have previously raised their concerns and now, thanks to the new measures, the building is proving to be a more appealing space.
“To help keep the area clean and discourage the pigeons from returning we are encouraging users of the facility to dispose of their waste effectively when using the bus station. Clear replacement bins will soon be installed to support this.”
The council will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the deterrents, which have already seen a significant reduction in the number of pigeons within the bus station, making a cleaner and safer environment for all users.