Dorchester: Good Samaritan cleans dirty road signs

Philip Mclean, 56, moved to Dorchester around a year and a half ago from Scotland with his wife.

Formerly an ice cream seller for 23 years under the business name ‘Phil Mcone’ - a play on his second name - he changed profession and became a window cleaner when he moved south and works in the Owermoigne and Crossways area.

Mr Mclean explained he was due to visit a GP for the first time since moving, when he noticed the sign pointing to the doctors' surgery in Queens Avenue, at the junction of Weymouth Avenue, was laden with dirt.

It prompted him to get his cleaning materials out and sort out the sign.

The Queens Avenue Doctors Surgery sign before it was cleaned (Image: Philip Mclean) Mr Mclean said: “I was genuinely on my way to a doctor’s appointment, and I had never been before. I saw the sign at the top of the road and thought what the heck - this needs a clean.

“I was thinking, how many people need to go to an appointment and can’t even read the sign?

“I was there for around 15 minutes as there were years of dirt and grime on the sign and I had to turn the pressure on the hose up.

The Queens Avenue Doctors Surgery sign after it was cleaned (Image: Philip Mclean) “I ended up being late for my appointment, but I was lucky that the doctor still saw me."

Moving down to the area, Mr Mclean suggested that road signs are kept in a better condition north of the border.

He said: “I come from Scotland, and the little things like this are taken for granted.”

When asked about the state of dirt on signs around the area and what should be done about them, Mr Mclean said: “I know that the authorities are doing the best they can.

"I know the system is stretched at the minute, and people like us ease the stress on them. It’s all about the good feeling and the vibes.”

Philip Mclean cleaning the sign (Image: Philip Mclean) Mr Mclean has now declared that he will clean one road sign per week in the local area until the end of the year - when he will be away for six weeks. 

He said: “I will be putting all the sign names in a hat and pulling one out at random each week. I’m personally hoping that the sign down towards Tesco before the roundabout will be mentioned as that one needs a good clean.”

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “We appreciate this gentleman’s work to maintain road signs and the difference it makes for local residents. However, we do urge him, and anyone else who spots signs in need of maintenance or repair, to please report them directly to us.

"We can then ensure the maintenance is carried out safely and with the appropriate required insurance in place."

The spokesperson added that this can be done online at https://shorturl.at/tZaV4 or by phoning the council on 01305 221020.