HARLOW Council has this morning announced a new programme to clean road signs and street furniture across the town as part of its ongoing mission to ‘renew our neighbourhoods’. The initiative will see street signs, roundabout markers, bollards, traffic cones, and other public street assets fully cleaned – many for the first time in decades.

While responsibility for this type of maintenance traditionally rests with Essex County Council, Harlow Council has chosen to step in. As part of the council’s Building Harlow’s Future plan, this year it committed to “embed a programme of proactive action to address the maintenance gaps left by Essex County Council”. This programme is a tangible example of that commitment in action.

The goal of the project is simple but powerful: to cut through the grime that obscures signs, refresh the appearance of street furniture, and restore pride in Harlow’s streets. 

The cleaning programme is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and will be rolled out systematically, covering every street sign and piece of street furniture across the town. Residents can expect to see a visible transformation in their neighbourhoods as the work progresses.

Commenting on the programme, Councillor Nicky Purse, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“We’re on a mission to renew our neighbourhoods, and that means stepping in – even when it is not our responsibility – to restore pride in our town. Dirty, neglected signs are a daily frustration for our residents, and they send the wrong message about our community. That’s why we’re proud to announce a programme to clean each and every street sign and piece of street furniture across Harlow – clearing the dirt, refreshing our streets, and restoring pride in our town as we Build Harlow’s Future.”

This initiative is part of a wider effort by Harlow Council to transform the town’s public spaces, improve safety, and enhance the everyday experience of residents and visitors. It complements ongoing work across estates, parks, and public areas – all designed to support the vision of Building Harlow’s Future by creating cleaner and more vibrant neighbourhoods that residents can be proud of.