Dozens of pigeons and chicks are starving to death near Wallington train station, after being trapped behind Network Rail fencing.

The fencing has been put up against the railway bridge that crosses Wallington High Street (Manor Road) and has trapped the pigeons in their nests.

Maxine Hovall was at the bridge today with representatives of the RSPCA.

She said: “You can hear the babies in their nests but their mothers can't get in to feed them.

“They are fluttering around trying to get out and you can see some dead ones in there as well.

“It's really, really grim.”

The pigeons have been trapped for days while Miss Hovall has tried in vain to get a satisfactory response from Network Rail.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Pigeon netting has put up to protect the structure from corrosion caused by pigeon droppings.

“When the netting went up we weren't aware there were any pigeons there. They could have been hiding in holes.

“We are dealing with the issue urgently but it is possible we may need the council to authorise a road closure.”