Pigeons have been terrorising people in an Ancoats block of flats as a window has been left open for 18 months. And the plight of bird poo is making children sick, according to residents.
The broken window on the sixth floor of Block D of the Albion Works complex was first reported by residents in July 2021, emails seen by the Manchester Evening News show. In the 18 months or so since, pigeons have nested in the area - and frequently fly into corridors and defecate.
Building managers RMG have confirmed there is ‘a current issue with one of the Smoke Vents’. They also have instructed repairs to be made and pest control to move in.
Bringing the infestation to an end will be a welcome relief to one air hostess, who asked not to be named. She's called Albion Works home for six years.
“There was a period where it was really bad,” she told the MEN. “They ended up roosting on the balcony, so we had a family of pigeons and they were s****ing everywhere.
“I’m an air hostess and one day I was leaving for work, all ready, and a pigeon s**t in my hair. If you’re coming in and out you are really vulnerable to it. I lived on the 6th floor, and when you were walking to the lift, you were running the gauntlet.”
The woman, who shares her £1,100-per-month flat with a housemate, added that during cladding remediation works, the problem did cease — but only for a short time. “We got it sorted for a short time — [contractors] QFF managed to get pigeons out and the window shut,” she went on.
“It’s open now. You can hear them cooing. They put a plastic owl up to deter them but it’s not worked. The pigeons sit next to it, mocking us.”
However, when the droppings are not striking passers-by, they are coating stairwells and handles. It’s led one mum to believe her toddler’s illnesses are caused by the poo.
“I live on the fifth floor and I have a toddler — my son is always getting sick, it’s awful,” Carmen, who pays more than £2,500 per year in service charges, said. “I was with him going to nursery and the pigeons were flying in the corridors, it’s bad.
“It’s ridiculous. I don’t know what I am paying for. They have increased the service charge, and the minimum is to keep the building safe.”
A spokesperson for RMG confirmed the issue is being looked at. A statement said: “We have a current issue with one of the Smoke Vents and a contractor has been instructed to make the repair and we have also engaged a pest control specialist to see if there are any other areas of concern.
“We take this matter seriously and encourage any resident who experiences an issue like this to contact our 24/7 support team.”
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