'I'll wash them myself': Councillor blasts Walsall Council's filthy signs

Signs in Darlaston and Moxley are 'mired in grime', says Councillor Doug James, who has blasted Walsall Council for allowing the signs to become so dirty that they can't be read clearly.

Councillor James has said he will wash them himself if supported by local residents and he has encouraged people to take responsibility for their area by helping freshen up the grimy signs.

"Darlaston & Moxley street signs are being mired in grime," he said.

"Across the town our street signs are being left un-cleared, in disrepair and in some cases have not been replaced after vandalism or theft.

"Local council cutbacks are taking away a sense of place and pride in our streets.

"Residents in Whitehouse Avenue, Rough Hay and many other streets across Darlaston and Moxley are being let down by a penny pinching council.

"As part of a general tidy up I would be happy to liaise with a charity or business who would assist with an area wide sign clean up.

"I will wash them myself if supported."

The call for the council and the community to come together was echoed by local community activist Corrie Halford, who said: "I think something needs to be done, either by the people or by the council.

"I took part in the Clean for The Queen event recently and it showed that people can work together when they need to on things like this.

"That was proof of how working to improve the physical appearance of a town can improve spirits for the people who live there.

"The situation with these signs is really appalling, they let down Darlaston, which is full of good, community focused people.

"In truth, they need replacing but getting them cleaned would be a good start.

Walsall Council said it assessed all issues with street signs 'thoroughly' but that its priority would always be to repair street signs and illuminated bollards damaged by vehicles or vandalism.

A spokesman for the council said: "The Traffic Management Team at Walsall Council is responsible for the management of road signs across the Borough.

"This incorporates 520 miles of highway and includes road signs, illuminated street bollards and advanced direction signs. Our priority will always be to repair those street signs and illuminated bollards damaged by vehicles or vandalism.

"All issues to do with street signs are assessed thoroughly and responded to accordingly. Reports from local residents are also investigated and any signage that requires replacement is undertaken.

"Any street sign that is damaged, in a dangerous condition or beyond its useful life is identified as part of our routine six monthly highway inspection regime and will be replaced."