Council labelled 'worst' for obscured road signs

A taxi driver is still waiting for his local authority to respond to his complaint made in July.

A local taxi driver has reported the number of road signs that are covered by trees and plants to his council but, two months later, he is still waiting on a response.

Shah Rouf has been a taxi driver for 28 years, covering Berkshire and South Oxfordshire and said that Windsor and Maidenhead are the worst areas in the region when it comes to obscured road signs.

"Overgrown foliage makes some road signs unreadable," said Mr Rouf.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council said "due to this year's weather, there has been exceptional plant growth across the borough" and it is working with contractors to maintain vegetation.

Obscured signs are the 'norm' not the exception

Mr Rouf said road signs obscured by overgrown bushes and weeds in Maidenhead and Windsor have become the norm.

He added, "If you ask me what roads have visible signs, that would be an easier question than what road signs are covered".

Mr Rouf reported 150 obscured signs to the council in July and said, "we are now in the end of September and there has been no changes".

He said he is concerned for the safety of drivers who have just passed their test, telling the BBC, "what chance do these new teens have on the road, I really do feel for them".

Shah Rouf has been a Berkshire-based taxi driver since 2007

'More needs to be done'

Simon Williams from the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) said that in its report in 2024 three quarters of drivers surveyed across the UK said speed limit signs are most likely to be covered in foliage.

"The impacts can be very serious, it's very worrying if drivers don't know the speed limit".

Williams added: "Things like foliage not being cut back is really detrimental to road safety and I urge all local authorities to make sure all their signs on their road networks are visible."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council is encouraging residents to "check their boundaries and cut back overhanging plantation or report any concerns" to the local authority.