Bracknell's Road Signs Face Cleaning Crisis

Concerns have been raised about dirty road signs in Bracknell after the council cut its cleaning budget as part of wider savings.

Councillor Tony Virgo (Conservative, Winkfield & Warfield East) urged parish councils and residents to help keep signs clean while the authority looks to reduce spending.

He said: "We don't want dirty road signs everywhere. It's just dreadful."

He added: "I think this is such an important thing and can be done by parish councils. They have the facilities, they have the lorries. It just needs [Bracknell Forest Council] to talk to them to get it arranged."

The scrutiny committee was discussing proposals approved as part of the council's 2026/27 budget at a meeting on September 3.

Speaking to the Bracknell News, Cllr Virgo said: "It's about being proud of where you live and helping out where you can. I've cleaned signs myself and cut back [foliage] around them to improve visibility. The council sadly doesn't have the money to do some of the things it used to do before, people need to take more responsibility and take some control where they can. It's about looking after Bracknell and all of us being proud of where we live. Things can go downhill if there are dirty streets and dirty roads. There is less money out there but there are many of us out there who are able to help."

Members approved more than £3 million of savings for 2026/27, including reducing staff, reviewing contracts and stopping some non-essential services. The authority has warned of a predicted £10.1 million funding gap and an £18 million cut in government grant support over three years, with inflation and rising demand for social care and school transport adding pressure.

The move marks a change from the council's previous highways policy, under which non-illuminated traffic signs were cleaned routinely. Despite the cuts, the council plans to invest more than £7.7 million in roads, pavements, bridges and cycle lanes in 2026/27.

Bracknell Forest Council has been contacted for comment.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter