Stranmillis Roundabout

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

There are two corresponding signposts; one is located on the north-side of the Stranmillis Road roundabout, on the edge of the grassed area at the junction of the Stranmillis Road and Stranmillis Embankment. It is made of cast-iron and is approximately 2.5m tall. The base is approximately 200mm in diameter and 400mm tall. The next stage which is approx 450mm in height has moulded detailing and tapers towards the main shaft, which is approximately 100mm diameter. There is one ‘finger-post’ sign at the top stating ‘STRANMILLIS ROAD’.

The corresponding signpost is located on the footpath at the corner of Stranmillis Embankment and Lockview Road with a finger-post stating ‘LOCKVIEW ROAD’. Design and detailing are similar to the corresponding signpost described above.

The road layout has changed over the years and the sign therefore relates to the earlier road layout where the Stranmillis Road and the Lockview Road met at an intersection, prior to the construction of the roundabout.

Setting:
One post is located on the north-side of the Stranmillis Road roundabout, on the edge of the grassed area at the junction of the Stranmillis Road and Stranmillis Embankment. The corresponding signpost is located on the footpath at the corner of Stranmillis Embankment and Lockview Road in south Belfast.

Materials:
signpost Cast iron

Historical information

The proliferation of these elements of street furniture is linked to the growth in road traffic, in particular the rise of motor vehicles from c.1920 onwards. The majority of these signs were located along rural roads / junctions, (where navigation was obviously more difficult due to the lack of landmarks), and not within urban areas where street names were placed on the sides of buildings or on low level signboards close to the ends of the streets themselves.
Given the urban setting, it would appear that the signpost at the intersection of Stranmillis and Lockview Roads is something of a curiosity. In the early 1900s, however, this area was still very much on the edge of the town, with what is now Lockview Road itself a quiet lane giving access to a small number of properties (‘Stranmillis Cottage’, ‘Lockview’ and the Belfast Boat Club). At some point between 1902 and 1920 (records suggest c.1905-06) the tramline which had previously terminated further north along Stranmillis Road was extended into what is now Lockview Road, an occurrence which went hand in hand with the development of housing off the southern side what is now Lockview Road itself – inc. Harleston Street, Laganvale Street etc. It is just possible that the sign dates from this period, its function being to alert travellers to what was then a new thoroughfare with streets opening off. It is also possible that the post was actually erected by the tram authorities, as its styling shows certain affinities with the poles which supported the network’s overhead electric cabling (electrification being introduced to the system in 1905 when Belfast Corporation took over the running of the trams).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A pair of corresponding signposts in south Belfast; one located on the north side of the Stranmillis Road roundabout and the other on the east. Both are constructed of cast-iron, with moulded detailing at the bases and each with a ‘finger-post’ sign at the top with ‘Stranmillis Road’ on one post and ‘Lockview Road’ on the other. Such street furniture is linked to the growth in road traffic, in particular the rise of motor vehicles from c.1920 onwards. However around c.1905-06, the tramline was extended into what is now Lockview Road. It is possible that the signs date from this period, their function being to alert travellers to what was then a new thoroughfare. It is also possible that the post was erected by the tram authorities. While the signs retain some detailing and are of local historical and social interest they are not intact (loss of original fabric, components -authenticity ) and due to this loss are not considered suitable for listing in terms of having special historic or architectural interest although would make a good candidate for local listing.