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National Cycle Network mileposts (duplicate)
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, almost all in Ireland. 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 programme for volunteers to repaint all the mileposts in 2021.
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, almost all in Ireland. 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 programme for volunteers to repaint all the mileposts in 2021.
by Oliver Dixon
Created: Thu, 4 Aug 2022, Updated: Sun, 6 Oct 2024
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