Oh to be a milestone!

The regulatory steps required in obtaining permission to reposition the historic milestone situated along the A10 at Foxton, about 1.5-2 metres to the side of the new cycle path, offers a window onto the world of rules and regulations for listed buildings.

The milestone is Grade II listed and is described on the Heritage Gateway website as Milestone. Stone painted white, with black lettering “Cambridge? “; “London 44”. The road was turnpiked in 1793 and ceased to be turnpiked in 1872.

The Milestone Society tells us: In its current position, the milestone is not only a danger to cyclists but also itself at risk of damage from both cyclists and motor traffic. Relocation to a position 1.5 – 2m away and further back from the carriageway is desirable. Such relocation is in accordance with English Heritage (now Historic England) Conservation Guidance for Milestones (attached, p4) and with the Society’s Policy Note 1 (also attached).

It would be appropriate for maintenance of the milestone to be carried out when it is relocated… The milestone was originally painted. It is likely that the original finish would have been limewash. However, in view of pollution from traffic and road salt, it may now be more appropriate to use a microporous silicate-based paint like Keim. The legend ‘CAMBRIDGE / 7 / LONDON / 44’ was painted, not incised. There is an incised benchmark on the left-hand face of the milestone. In resetting the milestone, it will be advantageous to set the milestone within a gravel margin (using a geotextile membrane and back-filling to ground level with gravel). This will restrict growth of vegetation, simplifying verge maintenance and reducing the risk of damage to the milestone during verge maintenance.

Both Foxton and Shepreth Parish Councils have been consulted on the matter and have given their consent, and the milestone now has Listed Building Consent from South Cambridgeshire District Council for repositioning (costs of these regulatory procedures not known). Then, the final surfacing of the new cycle path can be applied.

The milestone has been sitting on the edge of the old path for years, battered by salt and grit, bicycles and straying vehicle traffic. Perhaps it will emerge in better shape at the end of this saga, albeit with a slightly new perspective.

Note: No EU involvement – a quintessentially English process!

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