Couple's 'slightly weird' dirty sign cleaning hobby

A couple have admitted they have a "slightly weird hobby": cleaning Sussex's road signs and filming them for followers on their social media.

Paul Richmond-Watson and his wife Ruth, from Brighton, started the idea in September and are already being recognised when out cleaning, with residents also recommending dirty signs to clean.

They said they find cleaning road signs therapeutic and good for their mental health, as well as the community.

East Sussex Highways said it was great to see people taking pride in towns but added sign cleaning by roads can be dangerous and encouraged the public to report dirty signs.

"I think it's the satisfaction seeing the filth slide off and the reveal of the clean sign underneath and the scrubbing sounds," said Paul, who has previously worked in waste disposal.

"It's an oddly satisfying hobby. It was something to get us out the house."

Ruth added: "The amount of time we drive around and can't read anything - it's a problem I do see."

They use a handheld pump with PH neutral biodegradable foam, a brush connected to a water pump and a camera on a tripod for their social media, which is called Filthy Signs ASMR.

Paul added: "People give a lot of praise for cleaning the signs. I think it touches people's hearts.

"We started the social media to see where it went and see if people enjoy these sorts of videos."

They said they have also bought equipment to cut away overgrowth near signs.

Paul said it was a "massive issue" and something people have commented a lot on.

An East Sussex Highways spokesperson said: "It's great to see people taking pride in their towns and villages. Cleaning signs by the side of a road can pose a danger and we would always encourage people to report issues to us to ensure the work can be done safely and without putting members of the public at risk.

"We have almost 50,000 signs on the county's road network and will respond to reports of signs that have become dirty and present a safety issue."

The authority said people can report problems to them directly through their website.

A spokesperson for Hastings Borough Council thanked volunteers who help care for the town, saying their efforts made a "positive difference" and helped create "cleaner, safer, and more welcoming neighbourhoods".

They added that residents should report dirty, damaged or obstructed signs to the relevant authority, saying public reports helped councils identify issues and target maintenance work where it was most needed.

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