BRIGHTON: During rush hour at Brighton station, a bird’s presence on the train tracks caused significant disruption, lasting for about an hour and a half.
According to Sky News, Thameslink, the rail operator, was compelled to close three platforms around 7pm while the power was shut off to remove the herring gull.
The reports said that the services impacted included those from Brighton to London and the Gatwick Express, with disruptions persisting until approximately 8:20pm. To mitigate inconvenience, Thameslink advised passengers via social media to allow an extra 20 minutes for their journeys and to monitor departure information regularly.
In response to the incident, some passengers took to Thameslink’s platform, questioning the authenticity of the news, while others expressed frustration over cancelled trains, feeling stranded in adverse weather conditions.
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Thameslink later issued an apology for any inconvenience caused to passengers, confirming the safe removal of the bird from the railway tracks. Sharing a picture of the young gull, the operator expressed relief at the incident’s positive resolution.
Despite herring gulls being a common sight in seaside areas, the species has been classified as endangered by the Birds of Conservation Concern’s (BCC) red list since 2009 due to declining populations. This red status signifies the species’ heightened conservation needs and is determined by leading bird conservation organisations, including the RSPB, to prioritize conservation efforts for at-risk bird species.
