Cumberland Council is starting to spruce up the traditional fingerpost signs throughout the Cumberland area.
These charming signposts are an iconic and cherished feature of the area and are welcomed by residents and visitors alike. The signs make a very important contribution to the local character and identity of villages and rural areas across Cumberland.
Several of these fingerpost signs originate from the early 20th century and survived World War II because they were not removed and melted down. Consequently, these signs hold significant value for Cumberland Council and help to contribute to the heritage, local character, and identity.
Traditional fingerpost signs consist of a cast iron post with black and white bands and cast iron "fingers" that point to various locations and are quite often topped with a bespoke finial piece too.
Within Cumberland's boundaries, the signs tend to have heavy capital letters, are approximately three metres in height, and proudly display the authority’s name in raised letters running vertically down the post, along with bespoke areas listed on the finial that tops the sign.
In Westmorland these signposts exhibit a distinct difference and tend to be, smaller, light weight and are approximately two metres in height with distinctively shaped flat finger plates.
Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
"Fingerpost signs have been an integral part of Cumbria’s highway heritage, contributing to the unique character of local areas. These traditional signs have stood the test of time and have become icons in their own right.
"By maintaining and restoring these signs, we are not only preserving our history but also helping to maintain the character of our rural communities. They are an important link to the past, and it is vital that we protect them for many years to come."