A woman so dismayed by the dirty state of rural road signs that she mounted a personal clean-up campaign has been praised for her efforts. Davina Leighton used old- fashioned elbow grease to clean a grubby sign in Pegsdon, has been saluted by Herts County Council for her public-spirited actions.

The Comet: Davina Leighton gets scrubbing to make things clearer for North Herts motoristsDavina Leighton gets scrubbing to make things clearer for North Herts motorists (Image: Archant)

Davina said: “There are so many examples of dirty roads signs that the next time I come back to Hitchin I’m going to drive around in my car with a bucket and mop to the ready.”

Her sister Doreen Collins, who Davina was staying with when she went into action, said: “I think it’s great that people have responded so positively after last week’s story in the Comet.

“It’s very nice of Herts County Council to thank my sister for her hard work in cleaning the sign last week.

“So long as people take care and wear appropriate high-visibility jackets, then I think it’s fine to try to help.”

The Comet: After a visitor to the area cleaned up one road sign because it was so grimy, plenty of other examples have been put forward that need similar treatment.These signs near St Ippolyts show an obscured speed limit and a safety warning for cyclists that can barely be readAfter a visitor to the area cleaned up one road sign because it was so grimy, plenty of other examples have been put forward that need similar treatment.These signs near St Ippolyts show an obscured speed limit and a safety warning for cyclists that can barely be read (Image: Archant)

A County Hall spokesman said: “We appreciate Mrs Leighton’s community spirit and are grateful for her efforts.

“If other residents would like to follow in her footsteps, they can speak to their parish or town council and get involved with their community in volunteering in these kinds of efforts to enhance their area.”

However, despite Davina and Doreen’s efforts there’s still a lengthy list of road signs in the area which need a good scrub, or running repairs.

Doreen said: “There are many other examples of dirty road signs we’ve noticed in and around Pegsdon – as well as ones that have fallen down or been knocked over.

The Comet: After a visitor to the area cleaned up one road sign because it was so grimy, plenty of other examples have been put forward that need similar treatment. This one is on the B656 between Hitchin and Codicote at the Whitwell turnAfter a visitor to the area cleaned up one road sign because it was so grimy, plenty of other examples have been put forward that need similar treatment. This one is on the B656 between Hitchin and Codicote at the Whitwell turn (Image: Archant)

“For example, when you come down the hill near to us you can see a 40mph traffic sign lying on the ground in undergrowth which has been there for months.

“Every time my husband drives past it he says: ‘That sign is still lying there’.

“I know the highways authorities can’t be expected to know of every damaged or dirty road sign in the area unless they are reported to them – but dirty and damaged signs do raise safety issues.”

A Herts County Council spokesman added: “People can report dirty signs through our online fault reporting system at www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults and we’ll try to address any issues quickly. We ask our contractor Ringway to group together certain jobs in the same area, but it may take time.”