Work to spruce up fingerposts in north and West Cumbria has begun.
Cumberland Council is starting work to maintain and restore the signs, which are a common sight across the area.
Several originate from the early 20th century and survived World War II because they were not removed and melted down.
Traditional fingerpost signs consist of a cast iron post with black and white bands and cast iron “fingers” that point to locations. They 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 tall, and 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, the signposts tend to be smaller, lightweight and are around two metres tall, 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.”
