Three classic cast-iron motoring guideposts in the Cheshire parish of Ashley have been listed by Historic England following fears that they would fall victim to future road developments. The listing protects the signs from future removal or destruction.

Three cast-iron guideposts offer a glimpse of early road transport in England. Dating from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, each guidepost, standing at a triangle of minor roads in the parish, displays a slightly different design. They illustrate the evolution of fingerpost styles in response to motor travel legislation from the 1888 County Councils Act to Ministry of Transport guidance in the 1920s and 1930s.

Experts from Historic England said they offered “a glimpse of early road transport in England”.

The posts, crafted by W H Smith & Co (Whitchurch) Ltd, feature scalloped or squared finger ends and distinctive finials, including the firm’s chess pawn motif.

In addition to the Cheshire signs, a boundary post on Epping Road, Essex has also been listed and protected by Historic England. This post is one of the last of 280 such markers that once formed a ring around London to show where duty was payable on coal imported into the capital.

The coal duty boundary post is described as “a tangible reminder of London’s industrial past and taxation system to help London rebuild after the Great Fire of 1666”.

The distinctive Victorian marker was erected in the 1860s and provides a physical reminder of the tax on coal that helped fund London’s development following the Great Fire.

(Picture: Phil Smith/Historic England)