Northern Reviews 

they are horrible nothing more to be said

Shooting pigeons and leaving them to slowly suffer and die what the hell is wrong with you? Sickening company with no morals. Pigeons don’t do anything wrong how dare you hurt them.

Not only do they run shoddy services for inflated prices, they still in 2026 are murdering innocent wildlife. Disgusting and avoid at all costs.

I’m horrified to find out that this company has hired a company to shoot pigeons in their stations leaving harmless birds injured and suffering.

Not only is this inhumane it’s unnecessary and disgusting!!

They’re continuously shooting and killing and badly injuring pigeons at Victoria station. Leaving the to hang by one leg off the roof. It is SICKENING. And they won’t respond correspondence to them about it. Pigeons were domesticated by humans, what gives them the right or murder them? Horrible company can see why they have 1 star not just for the dogshit services but they’re murders too.

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING COMPANY! if you’re against animal abuse, do NOT use northern rail. they leave birds to suffer and die, and you will often find half dead pigeons around manchester victoria because they are shot with rubber pellets then left to slowly die a painful death. this company should be ashamed of themselves. 🤬

I’m absolutely heart broken and sickened to know that Northern Rail have been having ‘Pigeon shooting sessions’ in the Manchester train station. More people need to know and we need to make sure Northern knows we do not condone their behaviour.

Lots of information has been going around showing footage of pigeons left injured and fighting for their lives after 'culls' where they're shooting the birds with rubber bullets.
This is appalling, these pigeons do more good for this station that the people managing it !

Northern Rail attempts to kill pigeons for simply existing. Pigeons are domesticated birds that have now been abandoned by us. These pigeons are trying to make themselves a home but are being shot at by rubber pellets - which has been unsuccessful, causing them to be trapped in the station in agony. I have never felt so disgusted by a company. This is appalling and I feel so frightened about what Northern Rail are capable of doing next.

Why is Northern Railway hiring contractors to shoot pigeons? They are no harm to commuters. Pigeons are trying to survive in an urbanised world and do not deserve to be harmed. Absolutely shameful.

I was waiting for my train at Manchester Victoria recently when I noticed a pigeon stuck just above where I was sitting, lodged between station fixtures, clearly in pain and badly mutilated. After some research, it turns out this company hires contractors to "cull" local pigeons, despite warnings from said contractors that said culls are ineffective long term, amounting to what is essentially the torture of animals for the sake of torturing animals.

This is frankly disgusting and cruel behaviour from the company towards such a beloved group of creatures by the public. I will be boycotting this company and encouraging my 200k+ social media followers, the majority of whom are based in the local area, to do the same.

If I could give less than 1 star, I would!
Do not use this railway. They shoot pigeons, but say it’s ok to do because it’s “control.”
Shooting an INNOCENT animal for simply existing is disgusting. Pigeons were here way before us, so who are we to dictate when or where they can live? This is immoral and inhumane. Extremely rude humans who work and run at this place.
If you care about the world and animals then don’t come here.
This happens way too much, shooting animals because we don’t need them. How about if that was done to us?!
It wouldn’t be right, would it? So stop doing it to other animals.

Horrifying, injured birds all over due to scheduled culling! Abhorrent inhumane management!

horrible company that kill pigeons, not to mention the unreliable services and state of their trains

DISGUSTING ANIMAL ABUSERS!

Murder pigeons through shooting rubber pellets at them at Manchester station. Some don’t die immediately so fly off maimed and injured. What an appalling leadership team - cruel, unnecessary and lazy.

most cruel company ever they shoot innocent birds in hopes of killing them BOYCOTT THEM

Shoot innocent birds for simply existing!! VILE

I am appalled by Northern Rail’s approach to “bird management” at Manchester Victoria Station.

I have been made aware via Manchester Pigeon Rehab that pigeons are being shot inside the station using rubber bullets by a contracted company. These birds are protected wild animals, and rubber bullets are far from harmless — they can cause broken bones, internal injuries, eye damage, and prolonged suffering. Birds may survive but be left injured, terrified, and in pain.

I want to be very clear: I do not support birds being killed or injured under any circumstances. Harming animals in a busy public transport hub is cruel, unethical, and completely unacceptable — especially when humane, non-harmful alternatives exist.

Public transport spaces should not be places where animals are intentionally hurt. This practice reflects very poorly on Northern Rail’s values and concern for animal welfare, and it has genuinely put me off using the station.

If you feel the same, I encourage others to contact Northern Rail directly to voice your concern and demand an end to harmful bird control methods in favour of truly humane solutions.

Awful place, killing pigeons and trapping them unnecessarily.