TfL bird-snagging net is death trap and must be removed, say residents

"Locals say gulls have repeatedly become entangled in the netting, sometimes remaining stuck for days before dying slow and painful deaths, with cries heard by nearby residents. Anthony Percival, who has lived near the depot for almost 40 years, reported one trapped seagull to TfL and wildlife groups, which monitored the situation over four days. Staff from The Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton rescued the bird named Gilbert by Mr Percival and his partner but it died three days later."

"Mr Percival told the BBC: "It's quite upsetting, obviously, you could see it was distressed. I think birds have feelings and it was probably wondering how to get out and it was trying its best to get out. He said he feared more birds would suffer the same fate unless the netting was removed. A spokesperson for the sanctuary said the material did not work as a deterrent and described it as an expensive death trap.""

"A wildlife expert from the sanctuary noted five birds that had become trapped. He explained that wild birds are highly intelligent and that when one becomes stuck, others often respond to its distress calls and gather to help. He told the BBC he supported calls for a ban on bird-deterrent netting, arguing there were "proven, better ways to deter birds"."

"TfL said it was repairing the netting and would continue to monitor its effectiveness, adding that it takes animal welfare very seriously. Adrenne Reed, from TfL, said the netting had been installed to help reduce safety risks including flooding and blocked drainage. She said: "We recently installed netting at our Northfields depot to help reduce safety risks, including flooding from blocked drainage. Unfortunately, since it had been installed, there had been some damage to the netting and a small number of birds became trapped. We take animal welfare very seriously and all the birds have been released. We are urgently repairing the netting to prevent this happening again and continue to assess its effectiveness""

Gulls have repeatedly become entangled in netting at a depot, sometimes remaining stuck for days before dying. Nearby residents reported distress cries and one trapped seagull was monitored over four days before being rescued and later dying. The sanctuary said the netting does not deter birds and described it as an expensive death trap, noting multiple trapped birds. A wildlife expert said birds are highly intelligent and that distress calls can attract other birds to the same hazard. The sanctuary supported calls for a ban on bird-deterrent netting and pointed to better deterrent options. TfL said it is repairing damaged netting, continuing to monitor effectiveness, and installed it to reduce safety risks such as flooding and blocked drainage.

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