A LIST of the worst jobs in the world often includes gruesome tasks such as a crime scene cleaner, animal 'fluffer' or roadkill collector, while others feature due to the hazards involved - being a miner today can still be a dangerous profession.
At the Cowdenbeath area committee there was a new suggestion and sympathy for those taking on the "horrible" role at Fife Council of dealing with piles of pigeon poo and "having to scrape it off by hand".
Councillors were given an update on the domestic waste and street cleansing service at last week's meeting when Mary Lockhart raised the issue of the flying menace and the mess they leave on our roads and buildings.
She said: "I want to ask about the impact, of places where there are infestations of pigeons, on the street cleaner's job.
"I live in Lochgelly and this morning I saw the street cleaner was shovelling up awful bird dirt on the pavement.
"It's a really horrible, unsanitary kind of job to clear that up.
"Between yourselves and environmental health, is there something you can do?"
Cllr Lockhart added: "I'm conscious it happens under Lochgelly rail bridge as well.
"It has become very unpleasant for children walking to school, or indeed for anyone walking under there."
Sandy Anderson, the manager of domestic waste and street cleansing, replied: "That has been brought to our attention before because it's the same issue in Kirkcaldy with the railway bridges there.
"Some of our mechanical sweepers do have power hose attachments on them, which is a bit more sanitary than someone having to scrape it off by hand.
"It's possibly something we need to programme into our work schedule."
The day after the meeting, Cowdenbeath councillor Darren Watt posted about the very same issue.
He said: "Over the past week, several local residents have been in touch regarding the state of the footpaths under the railway bridges at Hall Street and Union Street in Cowdenbeath.
"In the first instance, I have contacted Fife Council's local street cleansing team, who advised they will attend to this as soon as possible.
"I have also contacted Network Rail and requested that appropriate measures be put in place to prevent pigeons accessing the bridges, similar to those installed at the High Street bridge."
Sam Schofield, team manager for waste operations in West Fife, said: "We at street cleansing are aware of the build-up of pigeon mess at Hall Street and Union Street.
"We are currently working as quickly as possible to clear the affected areas and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
"We will also take ongoing action to help minimise further build-up while longer term preventative measures are considered and, where appropriate, put in place."
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