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National Cycle Network mileposts

The National Cycle Network was opened in 2000.To commemorate this major project by Sustrans, the Royal Bank of Scotland donated a thousand mileposts to the project.

There are four different designs of Millennium Mileposts. The first post to be commissioned was designed by the English artist, John Mills, and his piece was entitled the Fossil Tree. The post takes the form of an abstract tree with relief imagery of fossils depicting the passage of time from early primitive creatures to the ultimate demise of fossil fuel driven technology. This milepost is sometimes nicknamed "Fish on its nose".

The Scottish sculptor Iain McColl designed the second post, the Cockerel. The influences behind this one are Miro's "The Fork" and Branusci's "The Cock". This design has additional space that has been left for partners to cast their own short message.

The design by Welsh artist, Andrew Rowe, is based upon the nautical and industrial heritage of his native Swansea and can have up to four directional fingers. An alternative interpretation is that it is inspired by the design of a Welsh love-spoon.

The fourth post is titled "Tracks", designed by Belfast artist David Dudgeon. The main design on the post shows the tracks made in the landscape by cyclists. This is complemented by a piece of text exploring sensations and observations one makes whilst travelling through various environments. The "Irish" design was the last to be implemented and installed. It was only at last in 2024 that I got to see one.
Although sometimes identified as the "English", "Welsh", "Scottish" and "Irish" mileposts respectively, mileposts of all designs can be found anywhere throughout the United Kingdom.

Sustrans initiated a program for volunteers to repaint all the mileposts in 2021.
by Oliver Dixon

Created: Thu, 4 Aug 2022, Updated: Sun, 6 Oct 2024


15 images use this description:

NS5566 : National Cycle Network milepost by Oliver Dixon
NO4029 : NCN milepost on Dundee Esplanade by Oliver Dixon
NZ1964 : National Cycle Network milepost at Scotswood by Oliver Dixon
SK6298 : Millennium milepost by Graham Hogg
NO2408 : There was an Englishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman and an Irishman... by Oliver Dixon
NO2408 : There was an Englishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman and an Irishman... by Oliver Dixon
NH8912 : National Cycle Network millennium milepost, Aviemore by Malc McDonald
SE1437 : National Cycle Network milepost on the Airedale Way by Oliver Dixon
NS5864 : National Cycle Network milepost beside the Squiggly Bridge by Oliver Dixon
TQ3682 : Cycle path in Mile End Park by Malc McDonald
TQ3682 : Cycle path in Mile End Park by Malc McDonald
SK5956 : Millennium milepost by Boundary Wood by David Lally
NZ1665 : National Cycle Network milepost at Newburn by Oliver Dixon
NO4029 : NCN milepost on Dundee Esplanade by Oliver Dixon
NH8912 : Path junction, Aviemore by Malc McDonald


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