At least four pigeons are understood to have died in the netting on the underside of Benfield Railway Bridge in Heaton, with many more trapped in the last year
19:27, 06 Apr 2026
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Wildlife campaigners have called on Network Rail to take down netting from a Newcastle bridge after the deaths of at least four pigeons. Campaigners say they have reported several incidents of trapped birds in netting under the Benfield Road Railway Bridge in Heaton in the last year.
ChronicleLive understands that netting was put up under the bridge to prevent birds from roosting in it and defecating on pedestrians. However, the netting covers the entirety of the underside of the bridge, rather than the areas above the pavement.
Karen Lowe, a retired saleswoman who lives nearby in Benton, said she has been regularly checking the bridge for more than eight months. The 62-year-old told ChronicleLive: “There have often been birds trapped and it gets reported, and it seems to be a while before any action is taken.
“It’s really sad to see it because I know the birds are distressed. It’s awful when that happens because it’s a lingering death, they’re trapped for how long and they’re trying to find a way out.”
In correspondence seen by ChronicleLive, Network Rail confirmed it had installed a wildlife camera on Thursday, March 26 and a decision will be made about whether it will be installed permanently once footage is reviewed. Network Rail said it has also repaired and upgraded netting, and installed escape chutes.
However, Anna Malia, founder of North East Animal Rights, encouraged the body to instead look at “viable humane alternatives” to the netting, as well as questioning the effectiveness of escape chutes. She said: “It relies on birds knowing how to use them and does not allow parent birds who do actually get out being able to return to feed any young they have in nests.”
Anna says that the problem is not just isolated to Benfield Bridge. She said: “We have spent hundreds of hours going to check these birds, it’s not just a local problem.
“It’s a problem nationally. At the start, we were getting the fire service out, they will attend if you ask them to but you can’t keep on calling the fire service out.”
A petition to ban the use of netting on roofs and outdoor structures across the UK has reached more than 13,000 signatures. If it has reached 100,000 signatures by August, the matter will be debated in parliament.
Ms Malia added that Network Rail had not reacted to reports of stranded birds within the 25 hour timeframe stipulated in the Animal Welfare Act 2006, though Network Rail says it “responded promptly.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Network Rail takes animal welfare concerns seriously and responded promptly to reports of pigeons trapped at Benfield Road railway bridge.
“Inspections have been carried out, and birds have been safely removed under the necessary traffic management conditions. Any damaged netting has been repaired and upgraded, with escape chutes installed to prevent the issue from happening again.
“Wildlife monitoring cameras have been put in place so we can monitor the situation in real time. We have a responsibility to control roosting on this bridge, which is an operational railway structure.
“All work has been carried out in line with animal welfare guidance and approved safety arrangements.”
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