Post by Taxigirl on Nov 17, 2003 9:58:30 GMT
Feeding Trafalgar Square's numerous pigeons becomes illegal from Monday.
People caught feeding the birds face possible prosecution and a £50 fine, under a new by-law.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said pigeon droppings have caused up to £140,000 of damage to Nelson's Column and the square.
He wants visitors to the central London landmark to stay and enjoy a "cleaner, healthier environment", rather than just taking a few photographs and leaving.
The square has recently reopened after a £25m facelift which saw the pedestrianisation of the five-lane road which had divided it from the National Gallery.
"The introduction of a cafeteria on the square has given it a more pleasant environment," said Mr Livingstone.
"None of the improvements would have worked if the square was still infested with thousands of pigeons."
Licensed feed sellers have been banned, seeds are now sucked up by vacuum devices and hawks and megaphones are used to scare pigeons off.
But while numbers have reduced from up to 4,000 at lunchtimes to about 200, some people still turn up to scatter seeds.