NETTING branded a “death trap” for birds has been removed from a Southend train station following pressure from campaigners. 

c2c has confirmed that the netting has now been fully removed at Southend East Station after campaigners claimed a dozen pigeons had been killed after becoming trapped. 

Last week, commuters were horrified at the sight of a pigeon which was injured and trapped in the netting, close to electrical wires, before railway staff used specialist equipment to free it. 

Campaigner Claire Burroughs, a member of the Southend Wildlife Network, welcomed the news of its removal.

She said: “I’m really pleased the netting has gone. I would love to see it gone forever, as there are other stations around Southend where there is no netting.”

More than 250 people signed Claire’s petition on Change.org to urge c2c, which operates Southend East station, to remove the netting.

Echo: Claire is a passionate campaigner on behalf of pigeons.Claire is a passionate campaigner on behalf of pigeons. (Image: Claire Burroughs)

The operator admitted it had “deteriorated” in recent years and vowed to replace it “as soon as possible”.

Claire and other members of her wildlife group help to rescue injured pigeons. She says they are “misunderstood” creatures.

“I know a lot of people don’t like them, but they helped save lives in both world wars,” Claire said.

Echo: The station operator came under fire from wildlife campaigners last week.The station operator came under fire from wildlife campaigners last week. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

During the First and Second World Wars, homing pigeons were used to transport vital military messages. Carrier pigeons such as one named “Commando”, which received the equivalent of a Victoria Cross during World War Two, have helped save lives.

Claire added: “It’s as if now humans have no use for them, suddenly they are called vermin. They definitely don’t deserve to suffer.

“I know they want to deter pigeons from roosting at the station. If they want to use pigeon spikes, then that is better than the death trap netting that has been there previously.”

A spokesman for c2c confirmed the netting had been removed.

They added: “We are exploring the application of pigeon spikes to manage the environmental health impact to passengers. A discussion about if and when we replace the netting is currently ongoing.”