Bridgend Man Provides Free Cleaning for Obscured Road Signs

Road signs, frequently rendered unreadable by dirt accumulated from adverse weather, particularly during evening hours, have become the focus of a cleaning company based in Bridgend. This firm has proactively begun cleaning council-owned signs during periods between its scheduled paid work. Clean Cymru initiated the practice of sharing social media videos documenting this cleaning process, reporting an “amazing” public response. Ben Edgson, 37, a Bridgend resident, established his cleaning business in 2020 during the Covid lockdown, having previously worked in gyms throughout his career. “During lockdown I couldn’t sit still, so my partner said, ‘why don’t you start something new?’ ” Edgson stated that he initially operated his business from the boot of his car, but now possesses two vans and serves over 700 customers throughout the Bridgend county area. He explained that he observed the deteriorating condition of road signs while commuting between locations for his regular paid cleaning assignments. “I’ve always tried to give back to the community, cleaning community halls and helping people out,” he commented. This commitment led him to decide to begin cleaning the council-owned signs without charge. Ben reported that the public’s reaction on social media has been “amazing.” He further noted, “Especially, those who drive for a living. HGV drivers have commented to say thanks, it makes our lives easier.” Ben additionally mentioned that he implements safety measures before cleaning and filming himself by the roadside. “When we do clean, we wear hi-vis clothing and ensure the area around us is safe.” Ben records the cleaning procedure and uploads these videos to TikTok. “I enjoy watching those type of cleaning videos so I started showing my own work, and the response has been great.” He stated that his videos are “going viral,” with most comments expressing gratitude for his efforts. Ben also found the visual process of the signs being cleaned to be satisfying. Certain signs require approximately 30 to 45 minutes of cleaning and “a few washes” to achieve a sparkling condition. “Some of it is so stubborn, it takes a lot of effort to clean it.” Ben expressed that he was “sympathetic” to the council’s situation and “aware” that budgetary constraints limit what can be maintained. He further stated that he does not object to cleaning the signs without charge because it “makes Bridgend look better” for both its residents and visitors. Bridgend council issued a statement: “It’s always nice to see community minded residents and local businesses take pride in their surrounding areas, but the cleaning of traffic and street signs by members of the public does present a health and safety risk for both the individuals involved and wider highway users.”