Fingerpost at Ditchyeld Bridge, Walton

Cadw's description

Location

On the S side of the B4362, 1¾ miles east of Walton, and opposite Ditchyeld Bridge.

History

Early C20 / inter-war finger post on the B4362.

Erected by Radnor County Council after the 1888 Local Government Act gave responsibility for roads to each County Council, Radnor County Council itself formed 1889. Perhaps replacing a milestone marked on the 1885 First Edition OS Map. The post likely post-dates the 1921 Ministry of Transport national road classification system, and the Ministry Circular directing the standardisation of signs in the same year.

Many fingerposts were removed in 1939-1941 in response to the threat of German invasion, more in the 1960s as design changed, and more again in the 1990s where they were considered a distraction to drivers, so this is a rare survivor.

Exterior

Cast iron fingerpost with three indicator arms. Banded black and white post, moulded capital and knuckle. Raised black lettering on white. Top arm point west with “WALTON 1¾ / NEW RADNOR 5”, middle arm points east marked “KNILL 1 / PRESTEIGNE 4” both with ‘B4362’ in a box above. Lower arm points north “BARLAND 1 / EVENJOBB 1½”. Post topped with annular inscribed ‘RADNOR CC’. No visible foundry marking.

Reason for designation

Included for its special architectural interest as a rare surviving example of an early C20 fingerpost, a type of street furniture once common but now increasingly rare. Group value with Ditchyeld Bridge (qv 9189).