Residents are concerned about Petersfield’s appearance, despite volunteers who work hard to keep it clean.

Andrew Bulmer, a Petersfield Society member, has revealed that there are still Covid-19 pandemic signs around town. All domestic legal restrictions in the UK were removed on February 24, 2022, so the signs are now more than 1,000 days out of date.

A Hampshire County Council (HCC) spokesperson said: “During the pandemic, hundreds of public information signs were installed across Hampshire and have since been removed. We are aware of several remaining signs in the Petersfield area and these will be removed in due course.”

Mr Bulmer also pointed to roadwork, diversion signs and other related items being left around the area.

He said: “Every two weeks I report abandoned signs on the HCC website. I will take a photo, mark the location using the What3words app and when it was first reported. When the county council removes it I will thank them.”

Glen McLernon, who has been litter-picking in the town centre for two years, raised concerns about the litter, overflowing street bins, weeds and leaves clogging up drains.

Authorities responsible for Petersfield’s upkeep are split between the Town Council, East Hampshire District Council and HCC. But clean-up efforts are being led by residents such as Beth Svarovska, Clean-up for Remembrance organiser.

Mr McLernon said: “You would think that keeping a small town’s streets well-manicured and litter free would be an easy enough task for local authorities. Myself and others won’t give our free litter picking service forever.”

While Mr McLernon does acknowledge councillors and officials who are involved and keep pushing progress forward, the system is making certain aspects more complex than they need to be.

Now that the Street Scene Sub-Committee has had its first meeting, there is hope that these issues will start to improve.