THE controversy over health hazards caused by pigeons roosting under railway bridges in Northallerton has been reignited.

Northallerton-born architect Dr Tim Mullany, who works in London but regularly visits his mother in Romanby, has called for action by Network Rail and local authorities, saying he has never seen such appalling conditions anywhere else.

For years public complaints have centred on the Boroughbridge Road bridge, just outside the railway station, but now Dr Mullany has fiercely criticised the state of nearby Mill Bridge, on the way to Ainderby Road.

He said: "Last week I had the distinctly unpleasant experience of walking under Mill Bridge.

"I have never been more disgusted or horrified as I was with the conditions under a bridge which my mother and other residents of Romanby have to use on a regular basis.

"There are literally scores of pigeons - mostly alive, though with some dead - and the filthy mess and smell is disgraceful. I work in London, where the serious health consequences of pigeons and their droppings are well-known.

"I travel extensively and have never seen such appalling conditions in any other town or city."

David Bowe, highways maintenance manager at North Yorkshire County Council, said a meeting was being sought with Network Rail to discuss ways of preventing pigeons from roosting at both bridges.

"We wish to resolve the problem hand in hand with Network Rail and are prepared to contribute towards that, so we are looking for a meeting to find out what measures can be taken.

"Pigeon numbers are relative to a food source and they will not roost far from where they are being fed. There is concern that people are feeding the birds in the Romanby Green area. The public should not feed them."

Eric Kendall, head of environmental health and housing at Hambleton District Council, said Boroughbridge Road was the bigger problem, although complaints had been received about Mill Bridge.

He said netting at Boroughbridge Road had been put up by Network Rail's predecessor Railtrack, but removed after it became torn and birds - including an owl - got trapped.

Installing plastic spiked pads and even culling had been considered, but rejected.

Mr Kendall said: "We wash under the bridges three times a week as part of our street cleaning service, but because of manpower problems over the last few weeks it probably has not been carried out as regularly as we would like."

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "We are working in partnership with the county council to try and mitigate the problem and are looking at it in stages. If netting is not successful we will look at the situation further depending on cost."