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Although the West Riding County Council replaced over 600 milestones on their roads in the 1890s many of the older ones survive, of which these are typical examples.

Milestone in Penistone Parish, A628, Barnsley to Manchester Grid Reference: SE 248 040 National ID: YS_BNMC07		Milestone in Queensbury Parish, A644, Brighouse to Denholme road Grid Reference: SE 097 306 National ID: YW_BHDE06		Milestone in Leeds Parish, A660, Leeds to Otley. One of many in this style on the roads between Leeds and Otley – more guide-stoops than milestones. Grid Reference: SE 268 384 National ID: YW_LEOT04a
Milestone in Shipley Parish, A6038, Otley to Bradford. A Leeds Old Triangle stone Grid Reference: SE 158 386 National ID: YW_OTBF06		Milestone in Queensbury Parish, A647, Halifax to Bradford Grid Reference: SE 100 297 National ID: YW_HABF03		Milestone in Womersley Parish, A19, Doncaster to Selby Grid Reference: SE 566 178 National ID: YN_DNSY09

Milestone in Monk Fryston Parish, A63, Selby to Leeds Turnpike Road.  Evidently before the West Riding County Council Brayshaw & Booth milestones, as they refer to its being a turnpike road, but perhaps the WRCC copied the design? Grid Reference: SE 499 298 National ID: YN_SYLE07		Milestone in Tadcaster Parish, A659 (old A64), Tadcaster to Haltondial Turnpike Road. Similar in style, but the flat form Grid Reference: SE 484 432 National ID: YN_TCLE00		Milestone in Rossington Parish, A638 (was A1), Doncaster to Bawtry. Milestone made by J. Walkinshaw, Doncaster Grid Reference: SK 635 987 National ID: YS_DNBW05

Type of milestone used on the roads leading out of Thirsk. The name of the foundry is unknown.

Milestone in Breckonborough Parish, A167, Northallerton to Boroughbridge Grid Reference: SE 381 837 National ID: YN_NABB07		Milestone in Northalleron Parish, A167, Darlington to Northallerton Grid Reference: SE_360984 National ID: YN_NADL03		Milestone in Thirsk Parish, B1448 (was A168) Thirsk and Northallerton Grid Reference: SE_424833 National ID: YN_TKNA01

In 1961 the Worboys Committee was set up to review road signs, and its recommendations were enacted in 1964.  After this date all new signs throughout the country were to conform to standard designs.

There was no requirement to change existing signs, though on main roads this gradually happened.  On minor roads, however, and in more remote parts, many pre-1964 signposts remain (though some county authorities cheerfully disposed of them).  In 2005 their value to the rural landscape was recognised and councils were encouraged to preserve and maintain surviving fingerposts.

Pictured here is a simple East Riding example, at a crossroads near Londesborough on the Wolds.

See also: Cleckheaton fingerposts

Source: Wikipedia

RWH / Oct 15