The market's population of flying rats have always been a wonderful source of entertainment, but that joy is reaching new heights now that the management no longer take any action to reduce their numbers.
The posts that visitors pass on entering the market bear witness to the pigeons' active bowels and the management's neglect.
...and here's a close-up of the top:-
Here are a few facts about feral pigeons:-- Feral pigeons carry significantly more diseases that are harmful to humans than the brown rat. Over forty diseases can be passed from feral pigeons to humans.
- The best-known infectious disease passed from birds to humans is psittacosis, which has symptoms similar to pneumonia and typhoid fever and is caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci.
- Feral pigeons have been shown to transmit cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis and bird flu.
- Other examples of potentially infectious diseases transmitted by pigeons are salmonella and tuberculosis.
- Feral pigeons are a source of allergens, which can cause respiratory illnesses like pigeon fancier's lung and allergic skin reactions. It is possible for these illnesses to be spread to people through contact with pigeon droppings, feathers, pigeon parasites, or where dead infected pigeons get into food or water sources.
- Spores from pigeon droppings can be carried on the wind and inhaled as dust, causing a flu-like illness in healthy people and posing serious problems to those with low immunity.
- Droppings not only cause buildings to look unsightly, but can also cause long-term damage.
- The presence of pigeon droppings, particularly when wet, can contribute to pedestrian accidents on pavements. Many stone and cobbled surfaces are particularly badly affected when wet.
I'm sure the council won't turn a blind eye to this forever, so perhaps GSM should ask their lessor to take action as soon as possible.
6 comments:
Well done on starting a thread on the subject, how was this problem dealt with in the past?
Who's responsible for this? GSM or Nelson Bakewell?
I'd like to tackle the last two comments together.
There has been no serious attempt to deal with the pigeon problem ever. Simple (and inexpensive) remedies like bird control spikes have been around for a very long time, but have never been applied to the market structure.
However, until recently GSM's staff, presumably their cleaners, used to remove the worst of the droppings from the floor and street ornaments. Back when Bill Marooney was the manager, from time to time a hawk would be brought in to put the wind up any roosting pigeons.
All efforts at preserving the environmental aspects of the market have been pretty much abandoned lately, from vermin control (e.g. pigeons) to material repair (e.g. cobbles). This must be down to GSM.
Why? Well I haven't seen GSM's lease (anyone want to send me it?) but I imagine the property owners - the Hospital and Ministry of Defence - are ultimately liable for nuisance, damage and injury caused by the neglect. I can't see NB being liable for anything as they're only the owner's agents.
GSM, however, though probably not directly liable, must have a responsibility to notify health and safety issues (which their staff are always banging on about to traders) to NB Real Estate and Greenwich Hospital. I bet that's in the lease.
The pigeons have obviously received their copy of 'Market Rules' and are 'keeping their toilet habits the same as in their home'
Market Rules? I must have missed this little gem...
The Market Rules which basically say - bla bla bla - you have no rights and bla bla bla - you have no rights and bla bla bla - we can do anything to the stallholders we like and by the way, bla bla bla - you have no rights. What a load of pigeon ****.
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